Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Jurrien Timber and Ben White injury latest ahead of Real Madrid tie

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·05 de abril de 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Jurrien Timber and Ben White injury latest ahead of Real Madrid tie

Gunners set for timely boost ahead of Real Madrid’s visit on Tuesday night

Arsenal defensive pair Jurrien Timber and Ben White have “a chance” of being fit to face Everton on Saturday in what appears to be a major boost ahead of next week’s clash with Real Madrid.

Mikel Arteta has been left facing a defensive injury crisis after both Timber and centre-back Gabriel were forced off in the midweek victory over Fulham, which White missed with a knee problem.

Gabriel has since been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury that will require surgery, while Riccardo Calafiori also remains sidelined having hurt his knee on international duty with Italy last month.

Vídeos OneFootball

That pile up of injuries has left Arteta praying that at least one of White and Timber can make it back in time for Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Madrid, lest he be forced to field a makeshift back-four against the Spanish giants.

However, speaking on Friday ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s meeting with Everton, Arteta issued a positive update, suggesting both players could be fit to play some part at Goodison.

Gabriel has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury

REUTERS

“Yeah, there’s a chance,” he said. “In the last week or so we lost four players and that’s obviously a big task but let’s see how Ben and Jurrien are.”

Arteta is facing a delicate balancing act between needing to give White, in particular, minutes ahead of the Madrid game and risking further injuries by bringing either player back too soon.

“The problem is we have a few of those [risks],” he added. “So, we’re going to have to decide this evening or tomorrow early in the morning which players we can play and for how long.”

Beyond White and Timber there are no specialist candidates to play at right-back, meaning Thomas Partey would most likely have to drop back from midfield to deputise.

Arteta confirmed that that is one option on the table, while also insisting he is read to deploy Declan Rice at centre-back if required.

“There are a few [options] on the table,” he said. “How far we have to go down that route, hopefully not that deep, but there are options.

“We would for sure [play Rice at centre-back]. We tried it against PSV away last season and he’s played in that position. Hopefully it wont be needed but if he is, he’s a player who’s capable of doing it.”