Mikel Arteta has provided a concerning update on the fitness of William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, suggesting both defenders will be sidelined for an extended period.
The Arsenal manager spoke after a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, which the German side won 3-2. Neither Saliba nor Timber featured in the match, with the Frenchman nursing a back problem and the Dutchman struggling with a groin issue.
Recovery timelines unclear
Asked about their potential return dates, Arteta told a press conference on Sunday: “I cannot be very precise with that. Jurrien is progressing really well, he’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but is still weeks away, I cannot say how much.”
“William is in rest mode at the moment. For two weeks he had to do almost nothing, don’t aggravate the injury. It’s going to take some time to heal, we know that. As quick as we have more news we can inform.”
Two weeks ago, Arsenal released a statement on Saliba, saying he “has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.” The club added: “Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme. William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period.”
Defensive options and impact
Arsenal are not short of options at the back, with Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly also in the squad. However, Arteta acknowledged that Saliba's absence is a significant blow given his influence.
“We have experienced that in the past, unfortunately,” the manager said on being without the Frenchman. “When he’s been available, his stats are incredible. We know that we have lost an incredible player. Same with Jurrien.”
Arteta was asked if he is looking to add a defender to his squad in the transfer window, but he did not suggest that is where he is looking to strengthen. “We conceded some poor goals the other day, some poor goals today, in the way we competed especially, but that’s a collective responsibility,” he said. “We need to improve with the players that we have.”
Arsenal are back in action in a friendly with Como on Wednesday before facing Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday. Their Premier League title defence begins with a home game against Coventry on August 21, and it seems unlikely either injured player will be involved.
