Arsenal's Jurrien Timber Set for Return Against Sunderland
Mikel Arteta is on the brink of welcoming Jurrien Timber back into the Arsenal fold, with the defender close to a long-awaited return ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.
Timber has not played for the club since last season’s Champions League final, but the right back travelled with the squad for the 1-0 win away to Napoli in midweek and has stayed with the group as preparations continue.
The Netherlands international has trained with the first team throughout the week and is now in contention for his first minutes of the campaign at the Stadium of Light.
“Let’s see,” Arteta said when asked about Timber’s chances. “We have another training session today. He’s been training with us for a few days. Let’s see.”
Defensive picture clears
Arsenal’s injury situation at the back is beginning to ease at a useful moment.
Arteta revealed that Cristhian Mosquera is “doing really well” after the knock that kept him out of the wins over Chelsea and Napoli, though the defender still risks missing out this weekend as the club manage his recovery.
Ben White, who was substituted in Italy, has been reported as fine, leaving William Saliba and potentially Mosquera as the only likely absentees for the champions.
The possible return of Timber would give Arteta another high-level option as Arsenal look to extend their perfect start to their Premier League title defence.
Perfect start, painful memory
Arsenal arrive on Wearside with momentum. The 2-1 victory over Chelsea means the Gunners have opened their campaign with three wins from three as they look to retain the title.
But Sunderland carries a warning.
On their last visit to the Stadium of Light, Arsenal saw an 11-match winning run halted in dramatic fashion. They led late on after coming from behind, only for Brian Brobbey to snatch an injury-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw last November.
Arteta has not forgotten.
“Last year we dropped points there and in the last minute,” he said. “We experienced and learned a lot from that game.
“Tomorrow we will discuss many things we want to be aware of and where we want to take the game and how to nullify their strengths.”
The champions have their rhythm, their standards, and soon, perhaps, their full-back depth restored. Sunderland know how to disrupt them. Now comes the test of whether Arsenal have truly learned their lesson.
