Why Jurrien Timber misses Arsenal vs Bournemouth explained amid PSG Champions League worry

Why Jurrien Timber misses Arsenal vs Bournemouth explained amid PSG Champions League worry

 

Arsenal’s defensive depth faces another test as Jurrien Timber remains sidelined for the Premier League clash against Bournemouth, sparking concerns over his availability for the upcoming Champions League fixture against PSV Eindhoven.

Timber’s Continued Absence Due to Injury Recovery
The Dutch defender, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in a £38 million deal this summer, suffered a serious ACL injury just 50 minutes into his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest in August. Despite initial optimism about a potential return before the end of the season, Timber has yet to feature in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squads.

While he has been training individually and even participated in some first-team sessions, Arsenal’s medical staff are taking a cautious approach to avoid setbacks. Arteta confirmed in his pre-Bournemouth press conference that Timber is “not ready yet,” suggesting the club will not rush his comeback.

Champions League Concerns Ahead of PSV Clash
With Arsenal set to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League next week, there are growing worries over whether Timber will be fit in time. The Gunners have already secured top spot in Group B, meaning the match holds little competitive significance—potentially making it an ideal opportunity to ease Timber back into action.

However, given the severity of his injury, Arteta may prefer to wait until the busy festive period before reintroducing him. The club’s priority will be ensuring Timber is fully match-fit before throwing him into high-intensity games, especially with crucial Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Liverpool on the horizon.

What This Means for Arsenal’s Defence
In Timber’s absence, Arsenal have relied on Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jakub Kiwior at left-back, while Ben White continues to excel on the right. Timber’s versatility—capable of playing across the backline—would have been a valuable asset, but Arteta has managed well despite the injury setback.

Fans will hope to see Timber back soon, but with the long-term picture in mind, patience remains key. His return, when it happens, could provide a major boost ahead of the season’s decisive months.