Arsenal handed new defensive fitness boost for Fulham clash | OneFootball

Gunners have a huge few weeks ahead as their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid looms

Fitness boost: Mikel Arteta will have two of his most important Arsenal defenders ready to face Fulham in the Premier League

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Jurrien Timber is expected to be fit when Arsenal return to Premier League action against Fulham after the international break.

Timber was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad ahead of the decisive second leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie against Spain on Sunday night due to illness.

The defender had missed the first leg in Rotterdam on Thursday and it was deemed that he would not recover in time for the return clash in Valencia. Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen was called up as a replacement.

Timber, however, is expected to recover in time for when Arsenal host Fulham after the international break.

The Gunners are not in FA Cup action this weekend, meaning Timber has longer to recover before the game against London rivals Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on April 1.

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori ahead of that game after he picked up a knee injury playing for Italy last week.

Calafiori twisted his left knee during a 2-1 defeat by Germany in Milan and was filmed leaving the San Siro with a limp.

The defender withdrew from the Azzurri squad before the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final on Sunday and will be assessed by Arsenal this week.

“Riccardo Calafiori, who underwent tests this morning for the sprain-contusion trauma to his left knee sustained during the match against Germany, has been deemed unavailable for the return match scheduled for Sunday and will return to his home club,” the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Friday.

Arsenal have received some good news with the fact that Gabriel has left the Brazil squad early as he is suspended for their huge World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Tuesday.

Gabriel played 90 minutes for Brazil in their 2-1 win over Colombia on Thursday but was booked in the game and his yellow card means he is banned for the Argentina clash, along with Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.

The centre-back is now able to have some extra rest this week before returning to training with Arsenal.