The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of the Gunners facing Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby as Mikel Arteta offers an update on the fitness of Jurrien Timber.
Ange Postecoglou will welcome Arsenal to N17 on Sunday eager to claim his first win against Arteta as the manager of Tottenham. The Australian’s side sealed a 2-2 draw when the fierce rivals met at Emirates Stadium in September. But this week’s clash bares big consequences.
Arsenal travel across north London only one point clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. The Citizens also have a game in hand over the Gunners. While Spurs need the points to keep pace with Aston Villa in their race for the Champions League places.
Arsenal’s injury list ahead of visiting Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham has not been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal in recent seasons, as well. But Arteta secured a 2-0 win over Antonio Conte’s Spurs in January 2023 thanks to an own goal from Hugo Lloris (14’) and captain Martin Odegaard (36’). It was their first win in eight trips.
READ MORE: Top 5 updates from Mikel Arteta’s pre-north London derby press conference
Arsenal have even only won one of the past nine north London derbies at Tottenham in the Premier League. They have also not achieved back-to-back league wins at Spurs since 1988. So, with that in mind, here is the injury situation facing Arsenal ahead of visiting Tottenham.
Gabriel Magalhaes injury latest
Arsenal suffered a potential injury concern ahead of visiting Tottenham in the closing stages of Tuesday night’s 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea when Gabriel Magalhaes needed treatment. The 26-year-old indicated he had an issue with his ankle but was able to play the full 90 minutes.
Gabriel has started each of Arsenal’s last 24 Premier League fixtures and has also played the full 90 in the past 13. The Brazilian now potentially missing the north London derby owing to an injury would be huge. But coach Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel has avoided an injury.
Arteta noted in his Friday press conference: “It’s true [that], apart from Jurrien, that we have everybody available. That’s a huge boost that elevates the training session, the competition between the players and the challenges to pick the right line-up to change the game.”
Expected return: Tottenham Hotspur (April 28)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
Arsenal have not had Jurrien Timber available for a Premier League fixture since the opening day of the term. The 22-year-old suffered an ACL injury only 50 minutes into his English top-flight debut against Nottingham Forest in August. But Timber is finally closing in on a return.
Timber registered his first competitive minutes since Nottingham Forest visited the Emirates as Arsenal’s Under-21s visited Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League 2 on Monday. Timber even scored a wondergoal during his 45-minute appearance having started in their 2-2 draw.
Arteta has also now confirmed that Timber is ‘very close’ to being available for inclusion in a first-team squad. But their north London derby at Tottenham may come too soon for Timber as Arsenal carefully manage his return from injury. But they will give him every opportunity.
“We’re going to have to make that decision tomorrow after the training session,” Arteta said in his press conference on Friday. “He’s very close, I don’t know if it’s going to come a bit too early for him. But he’s very close, I would say.”
Expected return: April/May 2024