Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues worrying Jurrien Timber injury update in new fitness blow | OneFootball

Dutch defender and midfielder Mikel Merino have been sidelined for weeks

Mikel Arteta admitted Jurrien Timber's "frustrating" injury has proved to be a complicated one and could see him miss the rest of Arsenal’s season.

However, with only four matches remaining this season he is still on the sidelines with the groin injury.

The full-back has been ruled out of Arsenal's trip to West Ham on Sunday and there is uncertainty over whether he will be available again.

Asked if the severity of the injury has been a surprise and more significant than first expected, Arteta said: “Yes, that’s been probably the most difficult thing to manage.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta admitted he is unsure if Timber will feature in the final weeks of the campaign.

Timber was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night when Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid to reach the Champions League final.

He was on the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates at full-time but did not appear to be moving comfortably.

It is better news for Mikel Merino, who has returned to do some work on the grass.

The midfielder has been out since undergoing foot surgery in early February and has been racing to recover in time to play some part before the end of the season.

Merino is also running out of opportunities to prove his fitness before Spain announce their squad for the World Cup.

However, quizzed on what role Merino and Timber could still play for the Gunners this month, Arteta suggested he was still in the dark.

"I don't know, there's still a fair bit to do," the Arsenal manager said.

"Everything needs to be so smooth and quick if they want to have a chance to play any minutes.”