Arsenal could yet regain Jurrien Timber before the season closes, with Mikel Arteta confirming there is still hope of a return. The defender has been absent since a suspected groin problem against Everton on 14 March, and Arsenal now approach decisive Premier League fixtures and a Champions League final with defensive options stretched.
That pressure increased when Ben White sustained a knee injury against West Ham that ended White’s season, leaving Arsenal short on the right side of defence. Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice have both covered at right-back across the campaign, but neither option is currently available, forcing Arteta and staff to review further adjustments.
Arsenal meet Burnley and Crystal Palace in their final two league matches, knowing two victories would secure a first Premier League title since 2003-04, ahead of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Defensive stability on the right flank is now a major concern as those matches draw closer.
Timber has not appeared in any of Arsenal’s last 12 games since the injury against Everton, yet the numbers underline Timber’s influence. Across all competitions this season, Timber leads Arsenal for tackles with 50 and ranks fourth among Arsenal players for duels contested with 190, showing how often Timber engages opponents.
Timber has also offered regular attacking output from defence. The 24-year-old has directly contributed to 10 goals in the current campaign, scoring four times and supplying six assists. That is the highest goal involvement figure recorded by any Premier League defender in the 2025-26 season, underlining why Arsenal are eager for Timber to rejoin the squad.
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There is a chance, said Arteta when asked if Timber will be available again this season. But how big that chance is, I cannot tell you. I’m being completely honest.
Mikel provides the latest team news ahead of Monday nightArsenal (@Arsenal) May 14, 2026">
He's going to try to do everything he can to convert that chance as high as possible in the shortest possible period. And that's the challenge ahead. He's progressed a little bit in the last few days. He's feeling better. We're going to try to get him available as quickly as possible. But he's obviously been out now for a while, unfortunately.
He's such an important player for uswe all know thatand he's doing everything that he possibly can to help the team in any capacity. But we need to look at alternatives. The two players that we have there [at right-back] are not available at the moment. We need to look and do something else. The good thing is that we have experienced that all over the pitch this season.
Arteta's comments reflect a balance between cautious optimism and the need for contingency plans, with Timber racing against time to feature again. Arsenal now move into the decisive phase of the season weighing Timber's recovery against tactical reshuffles, as the club chases both the Premier League title and European success.
Story first published: Friday, May 15, 2026, 13:27 [IST]
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