Arsenal star set to make injury return vs Sunderland
September 11, 2026 02:25
Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber appears close to returning from a groin problem and could be available for the club’s trip to Sunderland this weekend. He resumed team training earlier in the week and travelled with the squad for the Napoli game, though he was not named in the matchday lineup.
The manager, Mikel Arteta, judged Timber not yet fit enough to play in the Napoli fixture, but the defender is expected to at least make the squad for Saturday and might be used as a substitute if required.
KEY CONTEXT
Timber has not played for Arsenal since the Champions League final last season. The groin issue kept him out of the recent World Cup and has sidelined him since. His return to training and inclusion in recent travel squads indicate recovery progress, but Arteta has so far been cautious about reintroducing him into matches.
WHY IT MATTERS
If Timber is available, he would provide defensive cover and rotation options at right-back. Ben White has started and finished every game in that position this season, and Timber’s return would ease White’s minutes — relevant given White’s recent history of injury concerns over the past few years.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Arteta includes Timber in the matchday squad for the Sunderland game.
- If Timber does make the squad, whether he is introduced from the bench and how many minutes he is given.
- How Arsenal manage Ben White’s workload if Timber returns to action.
KEY FACTS
- Timber has been out since the Champions League final last season due to a groin problem.
- He missed the World Cup because of that groin issue.
- Timber resumed training this week and travelled to Naples but was not on the matchday sheet.
- Arteta said Timber wasn’t ready for that game, but he could be named in the squad against Sunderland.
- Ben White has started and finished every Arsenal match this campaign; his recent injury history makes rotation a priority.