Mikel Arteta can do something he’s never done before at Arsenal after Jurrien Timber injury update

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Mikel Arteta faces some challenges when it comes to constructing his Arsenal defence at the moment. 

Arsenal face some testing fixtures in the coming days, as they will take on Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League clash on Tuesday evening, before welcoming Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League showdown on Sunday. 

Mikel Arteta has suspensions and injuries to cope with when it comes to his team selections for these games. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are both struggling, with the former ruled out entirely for the visit of Shakhtar and the latter a doubt.

Meanwhile, the Gunners will have to cope without William Saliba against Liverpool, as the French centre-back will be suspended for that game following his sending off against Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Jurrien Timber is currently working his way back from injury, and Arteta will be hoping that the Dutchman can play a part for the North London club in these matches.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber from his height to his brothers

Mikel Arteta provides Jurrien Timber fitness update ahead of Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk

In his press conference ahead of the clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, as shared by Hayters TV, Arteta was asked if Timber would be fit to feature against either the Ukrainian outfit or Liverpool.

On the subject of the former Ajax man’s recovery, the Spanish coach said: “I think it’s going to be close, obviously. We have to see how he deals with training with the whole group, because he hasn’t done that yet, but he will be pretty close hopefully.”

Timber missed almost the entirety of last season with an ACL injury, so he still needs to be handled with care when it comes to his fitness. As such, Arteta won’t want to rush him back into action too soon.

Timber could face new Arsenal challenge vs Liverpool after William Saliba red card

Timber is far more likely to feature against the Reds than he is Shakhtar Donetsk, and Arteta may well need the Netherlands international to step up on Sunday.

As the Gunners will be without Saliba, the manager has a problem to solve when it comes to who will partner Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the rearguard.

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has suggested that Riccardo Calafiori should be the one to move into the middle, but that would mean that the Italian would have to vacate his left-back berth. The same would be true if Ben White shifted inside from right-back.

Timber has never started a game at centre-back in his Arsenal career so far, but it is a position he is familiar and comfortable with. As a right-footer, he is also a natural replacement for Saliba alongside the left-footed Gabriel. 

As such, Arteta may be wise to give Timber his first run out for the Gunners in this position against Liverpool with Calarfiori and White remaining on the flanks of the defence.