Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted he remains uncertain over a return date for defender Jurrien Timber, who is sidelined with a groin injury. Timber has missed the Gunners' last eight matches and was absent from training on Tuesday ahead of the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Timber's recovery progress
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: 'We don't know yet. He is doing some stuff on the pitch at the moment. But we need to get the gears up and be able to do more things before he can compete with us.' The Spanish boss confirmed that Timber will not feature against Atletico, and it remains unclear whether he will play any part in Arsenal's Premier League title run-in.
Title race implications
Arsenal currently sit three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with just four games remaining. Timber's absence could prove costly as the Gunners look to secure their first league title since 2004. Arteta also revealed that Kai Havertz will miss the Atletico clash, while Eberechi Eze has been passed fit after both were forced off during last weekend's win over Newcastle United.
Arteta's confidence ahead of semi-final
Despite the injury setbacks, Arteta expressed optimism about his side's chances against Atletico. 'After that win, a massive win for us against Newcastle, you could sense straight away the energy, the confidence coming into this game,' he said. 'It's a massive privilege to be here again, two years in a row in the semi-final of the Champions League, representing our club, what an opportunity we're going to grab with both hands. We're going to see a team that wants to be dominant, that wants to win it, and that wants to start to decide the tie tomorrow.'
Arsenal will be hoping to reach their first Champions League final since 2006, with the first leg taking place at the Emirates Stadium before the return fixture in Madrid next week.
