Arteta confirms 23yo’s surgery | OneFootball

Arsenal defender out of season finale as club opt for timely operation ahead of summer

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Jurrien Timber will miss Arsenal’s final game of the Premier League season after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this week. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the decision following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United, a match from which the Dutch international was notably absent.

“Jurrien had surgery yesterday on his ankle, so he’ll be out for a few weeks,” Arteta said, adding that the club are hopeful the procedure will enable a full return in time for pre-season.

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As first reported by Simon Collings in The Standard, there is cautious optimism at the club that Timber could be available for the summer tour, though a precise timeline has not yet been set.

Timber had been managing a persistent problem over recent months, playing through discomfort in an effort to contribute to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign. With that run now concluded and European qualification for next season assured, the club’s medical staff agreed that surgery was the most prudent course of action.

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The 23-year-old has featured 48 times across all competitions this term, an impressive tally given he missed the majority of last season recovering from a serious ACL injury. Arteta praised Timber’s impact since returning to full fitness, highlighting not only his performances but also his character.

“We didn’t just sign a player, we signed a leader, a very, very special character,” he said. “To have this season after an ACL, it’s incredible.”

With Takehiro Tomiyasu also sidelined, Ben White is expected to continue in defence for Sunday’s trip to Southampton. Arsenal, already assured of Champions League football for next season, will be hoping to end their campaign with a win despite a depleted back line to claim second with a three-point gap over City.