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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu's fitness. Timber, who missed almost the entire 2023-24 season with an ACL injury, has suffered a setback in his recovery.
The Dutch defender suffers from a foot issue, forcing him out of action. Arteta has now revealed that Timber is doing some individual training and is expected to return to group action next week. He said (via Sam Dean on X):
"It is fine. He has been doing some individual work. We expect him to be ready to train with the group next week."
Tomiyasu, meanwhile, missed the entire pre-season tour in the US. Arteta has cast doubt over the Japanese star's return to action, telling the media that Tomiyasu isn't expected to be back in action with immediate effect. He said (via the aforementioned source):
"It will take weeks on that one, unfortunately. He's going to have to be patient."
Arsenal have a deep pool of defensive players, boasting Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, and more. Calafiori also played his first game in a Gunner jersey during the Emirates Cup win against Olympique Lyon on Sunday, August 11.
Hence, Arteta has options to replace the two stars recovering from their respective injuries. The Gunners embark on their 2024-25 journey with the Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, August 17.
Arsenal's first five Premier League fixtures
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal came close to winning the Premier League title in each of the last two seasons. However, they finished behind eventual champions Manchester City on both occasions.
The Gunners kick off their 2024-25 campaign with a home clash against Wolves on August 17. They'll play Aston Villa away at Villa Park on August 24. Villa finished fourth in the league last season.
A home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 31 will be followed by the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15. An away trip to the Etihad against Manchester City follows on September 22.
Needless to mention, none of these games are easy on paper and Arteta's side would need to hit their peak early in the season to avoid falling behind in the title race.
Arsenal have the quality in the side and have now experienced how minute flaws can derail the team's title hopes. It's time for the north Londoners to put those learnings to use on the pitch.
