Why Jurrien Timber is missing from Arsenal squad against Club Brugge today | OneFootball

Gunners dealt a further fitness blow as defensive injury crisis sees Christian Norgaard start at the back

Jurrien Timber is the latest Arsenal defender to be struck down by injury.

Calafiori was, at least, fit enough to make the bench in Belgium, although Myles Lewis-Skelly had to start ahead of him as Arsenal are managing his minutes.

Timber is the latest Arsenal defender to be hit by injury, with Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel and William Saliba already on the sidelines.

Gabriel (thigh) and Mosquera (ankle) are still weeks away from returning, but there is optimism Saliba could be back for Saturday’s home game against Wolves.

Arsenal’s lack of defensive options forced Arteta to start with midfielder Christian Norgaard at centre-back against Club Brugge.

New role: Christian Norgaard

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The Spaniard’s training methods have been called into question due to Arsenal’s fitness issues, but Arteta has dismissed he is overworking players.

“We don’t train,” he said. “Today we have done 20 minutes, so surely it is not because we overtrain the players?

“We don’t have time to train, but the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more.

“That is a consequence to that and it is really a dangerous circle that one. It is a test for the team and, so far, we have reacted very well to that.”