Arsenal have nothing to fear despite latest injury setback | OneFootball

Gunners are well set up to cope after being dealt another blow

A much-changed Arsenal team made easy work of Brentford on Wednesday, extending their lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win.

However, after centre-back Cristhian Mosquera was withdrawn with injury on the stroke of half-time, Timber was drafted into the centre of defence and showed his class as Arsenal secured their first clean sheet in five games.

The Gunners have been impenetrable at the back this season, keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League, but on Wednesday they were without first-choice centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba.

Cristhian Mosquera went off injured against Brentford

REUTERS

Timber’s performance last night, though, stepping into a position he has rarely played since moving to Arsenal two years ago, highlighted the team’s strength in depth.

Arsenal were rarely threatened by Brentford, themselves sporting five changes to their starting lineup, with Timber exuding confidence as he stepped forward with the ball to get the hosts moving.

The 24-year-old has been a revelation for Arsenal this season, seemingly putting his injury problems behind him, and he gave Mikel Arteta’s men the foundation against Brentford from which they could build attacks. He misplaced just one of his 27 passes.

Arsenal have weathered a torrent of injuries this season to sit pretty at the top of the Premier League and the Champions League heading into a busy winter schedule.

It is now, with Arsenal still to play seven more games over the course of December, when injuries could hit hardest in their title bid.

But Arsenal look well-equipped to manage their mounting injury list, with options across the pitch giving them confidence heading into a pivotal juncture in the season.

Jurrien Timber stepped up with an impressive display at centre-back

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

It was November last year that Arsenal equalled a club-record run of eight consecutive clean sheets, and Arteta said in his post-match press conference that it had been the subject of conversations within the dressing room, having, by their lofty standards, let their guard down over the last few weeks.

“Yeah, we talked about it. I think it was four games that we didn't manage to do that for different reasons. We conceded from a set-piece against Chelsea and against Sunderland as well. The other ones are a little bit different.

“Today, we probably should have conceded a goal if it was not for David as well, and the save that he made. But I think apart from that we didn't really concede that much.”

So often criticised over the years for their soft centre, Arsenal, underpinned by the quality they have throughout their squad, have a newfound resolve.

Little fazes them, and it will take a lot to stop them as they make strides towards a first Premier League title since 2004.