Timber was a big part of Arsenal's fast start and commanding performance against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, but concern filtered around the Emirates Stadium when the Dutchman did not emerge for the second half. Head coach Mikel Arteta says his substitution was just a precautionary measure as he felt some muscular discomfort.
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AFP
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Speaking after the match, Arteta said: "He was unbelievable. He felt something muscular and we didn’t want to take any risks. He has been out a year and played a lot of minutes. We have to manage him."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Timber's Arsenal career got off to the worst possible start when he tore his ACL in the Community Shield last season. But the defender is finally back and playing at his best as Arsenal's new left-back, which was a bit of a problem position for Arteta last term.
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WHAT NEXT FOR TIMBER?
Providing he has not picked up anything serious, Timber should still be in line to start when Arsenal host Southampton in the Premier League this weekend. However, Arteta will be able to rely on the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori should he need to.