Mikel Arteta defined Jurrien Timber was taken off at half-time throughout Arsenal’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain as a precaution after the defender skilled a muscular downside.
The 23-year-old impressed within the first half towards PSG on Tuesday however was changed by Jakub Kiwior on the break.
Timber was making his eighth look in all competitions this season after lacking the vast majority of the 2023-24 marketing campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage.
“He was unbelievable within the first half,” Arteta stated. “He felt one thing muscular and we didn’t need to take any dangers. He has been out a 12 months and performed numerous minutes. We’ve got to handle him.”
Timber sustained an ACL damage 50 minutes into his Premier League debut in August 2023 after becoming a member of Arsenal from Ajax in a £34million switch that summer time. He made his first-team comeback on the finish of final season and has began seven of Arsenal’s eight matches in all competitions this time period.
Left-back Riccardo Calafiori moved to right-back within the second half towards PSG in Timber’s absence, with Ben White persevering with to overlook out as a result of a knee downside.
Arsenal have been 2-0 winners over PSG on the Emirates due to first-half targets from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
Arteta’s aspect return to motion towards Southampton on Saturday.
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There have been roars for Arsenal’s two targets however arguably the largest was reserved for Timber when he stopped Bradley Barcola with a wonderfully timed sort out and sprinted by means of three PSG gamers, all whereas inside his personal penalty space.
It was the spotlight of a primary half by which the Dutch defender was a standout, which meant there was a hush of silence when he didn’t return after the break.
Timber fully nullified Barcola, who has torn many full-backs aside in Ligue 1 the previous few years for Lyon and PSG. In possession Timber was flawless and as soon as once more highlighting how he has elevated Arsenal’s capacity to play by means of groups.
Arsenal followers will hope the muscular grievance is minor given White and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s absences meant they needed to shift Calafiori to right-back, forming a again 4 consisting of three left-footed gamers.
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(Julian Finney/Getty Photographs)