Arsenal could now face crisis vs Southampton as National Team make decision over ‘unbelievable’ ace

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Arsenal have a lot of depth in both full-back positions within the squad, but this may still not be enough ahead of a potential injury crisis.

Arsenal have seven senior defenders who can start at full-back, meaning that several fringe players may have been worried about their game-time.

However, there appears to be little worry now, as five of these seven players are all doubtful for Arsenal’s upcoming clash with Southampton.

Left-backs Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko are injured, whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu has only just returned to training.

Right-back Ben White has missed the last two games through injury as well, and Jurrien Timber impressed on the right in his absence, but the Dutchman was withdrawn at half-time against Paris Saint-Germain with a muscular complaint, and there is now an indication that he could be injured himself.

• READ MORE: The top five most injured Arsenal players in 2023/24

Jurrien Timber omitted from Netherlands squad after withdrawal vs PSG

Timber picked up a cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut last season, which kept him out until the final day, but he has now recovered and is performing superbly.

However, he came off at half-time against PSG and has now been omitted from the Netherlands squad for the upcoming International break.

This could indicate that he is not fit for their upcoming games against Hungary and Germany in the Nations League, which would likely mean that he misses the clash with Southampton.

This would leave just Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori as the only fit senior fullback options, and as both are left-footed, it provides a dilemma over who could play at right-back.

Arsenal must be careful with Jurrien Timber after injury

Although Timber has performed well, Arteta is well aware that he carries a higher injury risk after his long-term absence, which led to his substitution against PSG.

“He was unbelievable in the first half but he felt something muscular and he wasn’t certain,” Arteta stated after the game.

“He’s played more minutes than we would have wanted in the past few weeks and we have to manage him.”

This indicates that in different circumstances, Timber may have been able to continue playing, but it appears that Arsenal are taking no risks over any further injuries for the fullback.

Calafiori moved to right-back against PSG after Timber came off for Kiwior, and the same could happen against Southampton in this time of injury crisis.