Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was forced to explain a significant last-minute absence ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Key defender Jurrien Timber was a surprise omission from the matchday squad at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta's Injury Revelation
In his pre-match comments, Arteta revealed the reason for the Dutch international's absence. Timber sustained an injury during the latter stages of Arsenal's Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The Gunners won that tie on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Timber playing the full 90 minutes.
"In the last part of the [Palace] game [on Tuesday], he felt something and could not carry on," Arteta stated. "So, he's out." The announcement came as a blow, given there had been no prior indication from the club that the 24-year-old would be unavailable for the Brighton fixture.
Defensive Crisis on the Right
Timber's absence was compounded by the continued unavailability of fellow right-back Ben White. This situation left Arsenal without a recognised senior specialist in that position for the visit of the Seagulls. Before this setback, Timber had been an ever-present in Arsenal's Premier League campaign, featuring in all 17 top-flight matches this season.
His form since returning from a long-term ACL injury suffered at the start of the previous campaign has been exceptional, making him one of the team's most consistent performers.
High Praise from a Former Gunner
The significance of Timber's absence is underscored by the high esteem in which he is held. Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere recently made a bold claim about the defender's world-class status. Speaking to aceodds.com last month, Aliadiere declared, "I don't think there's a better right-back in the world than Timber."
He elaborated on Timber's all-round abilities, saying, "I know a lot of people prefer their full-backs to attack, but for me, he's good at attacking, but he's also strong at defending. He rarely gets beaten in a 1 vs 1, and he makes the right choice on the ball."
Aliadiere also expressed initial concern after Timber's serious injury last year, admitting he worried if the player's Arsenal career was over. However, the defender's seamless return to peak performance has silenced any doubts, making his latest minor setback a frustrating one for Arteta's title-chasing squad.
