Arteta now confirms £38m Arsenal star is available for Sunderland game, poised to start

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the availability of Jurrien Timber ahead of the Premier League clash against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

Timber was absent from Thursday’s open training session along with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, and there were doubts whether the Dutchman could miss the Black Cats game.

Arteta has now clarified that the Netherlands international is available for selection.

While Timber is fully fit, Saka and Odegaard won’t play any part. The former is nursing a minor hip injury, while the latter has a muscle problem sustained during the Leeds United win.

Arteta said on Saka: “His hip is getting much better. Hopefully very soon he will be with us; very soon.”

He added on Odegaard: “Martin again is getting better, it will be a matter of days we believe.”

Among the senior players, Mikel Merino is the only long-term absentee. The Spaniard will be out for months after sustaining a foot injury during the 3-2 league loss to Manchester United.

Timber poised to start against Sunderland

The former Ajax man had a difficult debut season with the Gunners after a serious knee injury, but he has since established himself as the first-choice right-back ahead of Ben White.

Timber played the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 league rout of Leeds on the road last weekend. He also started and completed the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Chelsea.

His absence from training yesterday was probably due to workload management. Martin Zubimendi previously skipped an open training session this campaign for the same reason.

With Arteta confirming Timber’s availability, he looks poised to continue at right-back. The £38 million signing is set to make his seventh straight league start for the Gunners tomorrow.

Arsenal have a six-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the standings, and will aim to extend the gap this weekend. The Cityzens have a tough outing at Liverpool on Sunday.

The Gunners were guilty of conceding a late stoppage-time equaliser at Sunderland earlier this season (2-2) and will be eyeing a victory this time to boost their league title prospects.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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