Mikel Arteta confirms two first team stars will miss Arsenal final Premier League game
Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber and solid Central defender William Saliba will miss the team’s final Premier League game of the season against Southampton due to injury.
The 23-year-old Dutch international underwent the procedure on Tuesday, ruling him out for several weeks.
Timber’s absence was confirmed by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who expressed his admiration for the player’s resilience and leadership. “With Jurrien, you understand that he was coming back from an ACL one year out, and to have this season after an ACL, it’s incredible,” Arteta said. “We didn’t sign a player, we signed a leader, a very, very special character.”
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Timber has made 48 appearances this season for the Gunners. England full back Ben White will likely replace him at the right back as Arsenal hope to finish strong again this season, second for the third consecutive season.
Jurrien Timber. (Photo credit: Getty Images)Arsenal central defender William Saliba will also miss the Southampton game due to a hamstring injury. Saliba was forced off the pitch at halftime in Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Newcastle on Sunday. Arteta confirmed that Saliba will be out for several weeks, adding to Arsenal’s injury woes.
“William is going to be out for a few weeks, unfortunately. He pulled his hamstring against Newcastle, so he’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta told Bein Sports.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko or Ben White will likely pair up with Jakub Kiwior at the heart of the Arsenal defense as the Gunners will sweat to avoid defeat against Southampton on Sunday.
William Saliba (Image credit: Getty Images)Even if they lose and Manchester City wins, Arsenal would still finish as runners-up on goal difference, unless City achieves an eight-goal swing.
The team’s performance this season has been impressive, and fans will be eager to see how they finish the campaign. With Timber and Saliba out, Arteta will need to make tactical decisions to ensure the team’s success. The final match against Southampton will be a test of Arsenal’s depth and squad strength.
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