Arsenal handed new Jurrien Timber injury update as best-case Mikel Arteta scenario emerges

Latest Arsenal news with a major hint dropped on Jurrien Timber's availability after Mikel Arteta's injury update before Southampton

Mikel Arteta has received a new Jurrien Timber injury update which could be great news for Arsenal. The Netherlands international picked up a muscular issue during the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain with Arteta opting to substitute him off at half time.

"He was unbelievable in the first half, but he felt something muscular and he wasn’t certain," the Gunners boss admitted after the game. "So I didn’t want to take any risks. He’s been out for a year and he’s played a lot of minutes, probably more minutes than we would have wanted in the past few weeks and we have to manage him."

Martin Odegaard and Ben White are also dealing with injuries, though the latter, alongside Timber, could be in line to return against Southampton based on Arteta's most recent comments. "We had to modify training for a lot of players," he said on Friday. "It was the same today because of the load that they had.

"There will be a decision to make this afternoon whether to involve them, yes or no. They are close. And Tomiyasu is close too. So it’s good news." With Tomiyasu also in line for a return, Arteta is facing at least three huge squad decisions, though one of those may have already been revealed.

With the October international break on the horizon, several nations have already announced their squads and Timber has been left out of the Netherlands group for games against Hungary and Germany. Considering how Odegaard's injury came about, Arteta will be happy Timber is spending the next two weeks at London Colney.

What it does suggest though, is that Timber will be unavailable for Saturday's clash because of the injury that saw him withdrawn early against PSG. In the last international break, he played a total of 69 minutes which suggests if he was fit, he would be called up especially as Nathan Ake is still injured.

READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Aaron Ramsdale return, Timber fitness and Partey Arsenal future

READ MORE: Timber, Odegaard, White - Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates for Southampton clash

White and Tomiyasu being named in the squad also appears to be unlikely just because of the impending two-week break which will allow both to fully get back up to speed before Arsenal's trip to Vitality Stadium for a clash against Bournemouth later this month.

However, it is unlikely Arteta will be overly pleased that Mikel Merino is set to represent Spain over the coming weeks just a few days on from making his Arsenal debut off the bench against PSG.

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