Arsenal handed new injury worry amid Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard concerns | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has a fresh scare in defence amid talisman and captain absence

Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury worry after Jurrien Timber missed training on Thursday.

Timber completed the full 90 minutes as Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 to reach the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday, but his fitness will be a concern for Arteta.

The Dutchman has been a key player for Arsenal this season, making 35 appearances as a crucial part of the best defence in the country.

Jurrien Timber missed Arsenal training on Thursday

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Martin Odegaard also missed training on Thursday in his race to be fit for the Sunderland game.

Odegaard missed Tuesday’s Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea with what Mikel Arteta described as a “little niggle”.

“During the game [against Leeds], he felt a little niggle,” Arteta explained on Monday. “We tried yesterday, he wasn’t comfortable. So let’s see if he’s available for the weekend [against Sunderland], hopefully.”

Bukayo Saka was also absent from training on Thursday but he is set to be sidelined for a few weeks with the injury he sustained in the warm-up at Leeds.

Scans on Saka showed his injury is not serious and he is targeting a return in time to face Tottenham in the north London derby on February 22.

Arsenal face Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on Saturday before an away game at Brentford next Thursday.

The Gunners then face Wigan in the FA Cup on February 15 before a trip to Wolves on February 18.

Arteta’s side then face Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22.