As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, manager Mikel Arteta provides crucial updates on the team's injury status. The focus is primarily on Dutch defender Jurrien Timber and former Manchester City full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jurrien Timber, a promising 22-year-old Dutch defender who joined Arsenal from Ajax for an initial £34 million plus add-ons, has had a challenging start to his Premier League career. He has only managed to clock in 50 minutes of action this season due to an unfortunate Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury he sustained on the opening weekend.
Arteta remained somewhat elusive when asked about Timber's current fitness level ahead of the Crystal Palace match at the Emirates on Saturday, January 20. While fans eagerly await more information, it remains unclear whether or not we will see him back in action soon.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said:
"We still have a few on that list that we have unfortunately not been able to get back."
"There is a possibility. But at the moment he’s still really far from competing and that’s the realistic picture of it. We’re hopeful that he can have an impact at the end of the season if everything goes well there looks like a chance that can happen but I think it’s too early to make that call."
Oleksandr Zinchenko is unlikely to return for Crystal Palace clash
Arteta also provided some insight into the condition of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukraine international suffered a calf injury in December which led him to miss their league defeat against Fulham and FA Cup elimination by Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta added:
“Individually I’m not going to tell you exactly how everyone is."
Despite these setbacks, Zinchenko has made significant contributions to Arsenal this season with 18 appearances in Premier League matches so far - starting in 14 of them - during which he recorded a goal and an assist. In addition to his league performances, he also made four UEFA Champions League appearances and two Carabao Cup appearances this season.
While Arteta did not provide specific details regarding when we can expect Zinchenko back on the field, fans are hopeful that his recovery is progressing well given his importance within the squad.
Arsenal's recent performances have been hindered by injuries
As Arsenal gears up for their match against Crystal Palace at home ground, the team's injury status remains a significant concern. The potential absence of key players like Timber and Zinchenko could have implications for the team's performance.
However, under Arteta's leadership, Arsenal has shown resilience in overcoming challenges. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team adapts and performs in their upcoming matches.
While injuries are an unfortunate part of football, they also provide opportunities for other players to step up and shine. As we await further updates on Timber and Zinchenko’s recovery progress, it will be interesting to see who steps up in their absence.
