Arsenal face a significant defensive setback as Jurrien Timber missed the final training session ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg encounter against Atletico Madrid. With Kai Havertz also set to be absent following a knock against Newcastle, Mikel Arteta must navigate a growing injury list for the clash at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, the Gunners have been handed a boost with the return of three key stars.
Declan Rice was among five players to miss Arsenal's latest training session ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Sporting CP. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber were also absent after sitting out the weekend defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta has hit back at suggestions that Arsenal players have prioritised club over country after a staggering 11 members of his squad withdrew from international duty. The Gunners boss insists that the medical decisions were necessary and the club maintains a transparent relationship with national team managers, including England's Thomas Tuchel.
Daniel Munoz is considered to be one of the Premier League’s most complete right-backs, but the Crystal Palace defender has been told who ranks above him in those stakes and why a dream transfer to Manchester United “might not happen”. That assessment has been delivered to GOAL in an exclusive interview by former Eagles striker Clinton Morrison.
The Gunners have been sweating over the fitness of Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Odegaard hasn't featured since the draw with Brentford last month, while Timber was forced off during the 2-0 victory against Everton last Saturday. Their absence is felt, but Mikel Arteta remains hopeful.
Arsenal's Premier League title charge faced a nervous moment on Saturday as Jurrien Timber was withdrawn prematurely during their clash against Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The versatile defender appeared to pick up a knock midway through the first half, forcing Mikel Arteta into an unplanned tactical reshuffle.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, insisting the Gunners must "address and talk about" the growing anxiety that appears to be creeping into their game during the final stages of matches. Despite securing a vital 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea on Sunday to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League, the north London side were once again forced to sweat as they survived a frantic period of late pressure at the Emirates Stadium.
There's just no stopping Set-piece FC! Arsenal performed poorly in Sunday's crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea at the Emirates, but still managed to eke out a vital 2-1 victory over the 10-man Blues that moves them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
So there we have it! After a mammoth 144 games that included plenty of goals and drama, the curtain has been drawn on the league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League. Arsenal finished top of the table with a perfect record, while Manchester City secured automatic qualification to the round of 16 by the skin of their teeth. But three historic European giants have been eliminated already, in the form of Napoli, Marseille and Ajax.
With the halfway stage of the season upon us, the time has come to shine a spotlight on the players who have made the biggest impact across Europe's major leagues. But first, let's run through the lay of the land.
Pure excitement has been the theme of this Premier League season. Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are locked in a three-way title race while practically the rest of the division is competing for a European place. Indeed, the table is so crowded it feels more like the Championship than the top-flight, with back-to-back wins being all it takes to propel teams from 15th to the top five.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained why Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were left out of his starting XI to face Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Gunners were already without key defenders Gabriel and William Saliba due to injury, meaning midfielder Christian Norgaard was handed a surprise start in central defence in Belgium.
Jurrien Timber says Harry Kane is one of the best players in the world but admits that Arsenal are relishing the chance to keep the Bayern Munich striker in check. The Gunners have had an outstanding start to their Champions League campaign, scoring 11 goals and conceding none in four games. That record has only been bettered by Bayern, who top the competition's league phase table on goals scored. Now, they are preparing to lock horns.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is reportedly open to playing in a different position after thriving on Netherlands' duty. Fresh from a commanding display for the Dutch against Malta, the 24-year-old has shown that his football intelligence and adaptability make him one of the most complete players in Europe right now.
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