Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided updates on the injuries affecting key players Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, ahead of their crucial Premier League match against Southampton on Sunday.
The Gunners, currently second in the league table with 71 points from 37 matches, secured Champions League qualification last weekend with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Injury Updates
Jurrien Timber: The defender underwent surgery on Tuesday to address a persistent ankle issue that’s been bothering him for weeks.
Arteta stated, “He’s been feeling discomfort for many weeks, and it needed to be resolved.”
Timber’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, with the possibility of returning around pre-season.
William Saliba: Saliba suffered a hamstring injury during the Newcastle match and is expected to be out for a few weeks.
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Arteta confirmed, “William is going to be out for a few weeks, unfortunately.”
This injury casts doubt on Saliba’s participation in France’s UEFA Nations League Finals campaign.
Thomas Partey’s Contract Stance
Arteta expressed his desire for Partey to sign a new contract, praising his exceptional performance and availability this season.
Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020, has started 44 of his 51 competitive appearances, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
Arteta said, “In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it’s been his best season… he’s a really important player for us.”
With Partey’s contract set to expire at the end of June, negotiations for a new deal are ongoing ¹ ².
