Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed an update on Arsenal’s double injury blow involving Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal faced a defensive crisis after Magalhaes and Timber limped off in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
The 2023-24 Premier League runners-up finished the game with a makeshift back-four of Thomas Partey, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Magalhaes appeared to have picked up a knee injury while Timber, who hadn’t played for nearly a month due to a muscular problem ahead of Sunday’s clash, complained of an issue near his thigh.
Mikel Arteta provides an update on Timber and Magalhaes’s injury
Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta addressed the double injury blow.
“I don’t know the impact of the injuries. We are patiently waiting for an update from the club’s medical team.”
”But it wasn’t a good look in the dressing. We hope to have them back to fitness as soon as possible,” he added.
On how the team will cope without the two key players, Arteta said they are preparing to adapt to the new challenge and make subtle changes to the backline to offset the grinding injury blow. However, he did not delve into the details of his plan.
“Very proud of the team, especially with the situation we are going through (with injuries) at the moment—probably you cannot imagine.
“We had five injuries in the back line. We have to adapt to it, and we will continue to adapt. It’s the situation that we have.
While Arteta is hopeful for the duo’s imminent return, he has been blamed for the team’s deepening crisis at the defense, particularly with reference to Jurrien Timber.
Ahead of the Liverpool match, Jurrien Timber was a major doubt for the game, having been sidelined with an ankle issue.
However, Arteta reportedly insisted on playing the defender in the match despite the risk of losing him to the sidelines again.
Arsenal’s injury crisis this season
Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber join the list of other Arsenal defenders who have been sidelined.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has yet to return to the squad after a knee injury. According to TeamTalk, the Japan international exacerbated his injury problem after a cameo against Southampton and is slated to tarry longer on the sidelines.
Arsenal’s new signing from Bologna, Riccardo Calafiori, is also sidelined. The Italy international picked up an injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League.
Mikel Arteta described Riccardo Calafiori’s injury as worrying while hoping for a quick return for the player. At the time of this report, there is no estimated timeline for Riccardo Calafiori’s return, but he is expected to miss weeks not months of action for the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s most devastating injury blow is Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian picked up an excruciating injury blow during the September international break with Norway and is expected to miss months of action.
After the draw against Liverpool, Arsenal will return to action in a midweek EFL Cup clash against Preston on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, before taking on Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate the team heavily against Preston, with youngsters likely to be given a chance. However, he will need his full senior squad against Newcastle United at the weekend, with the impact of the injuries likely to take a toll.
The team currently sits third on the Premier League table with 18 points and is gradually slipping off the Premier League title race with Manchester City and Liverpool top with a five- and four-point gap.
