Ben White and Jurrien Timber injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Timber and White both featured against Everton at the weekend (Picture: Getty) Mikel Arteta is confident Jurrien Timber and Ben White will both be fit to start Arsenal’s Champions League showdown against Real Madrid. The Gunners welcome the European champions to north London on Tuesday night for the first leg of their quarter-final tie. The club were handed a devastating injury blow last week when Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off after 15 minutes in the victory over Fulham. Arsenal confirmed later in the week the Brazil international will have no further role to play this season. Timber was also forced off that evening with White not making the squad – both dealing with knee issues. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Both men featured at Goodison Park on Saturday however, with White starting at right-back before being replaced by Timber on the hour mark. Both Timber and White are options to move into centre-half alongside William Saliba ahead of Jakub Kiwior against Los Blancos. Gabriel ruled out for rest of the season (Picture: Getty Images) Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Arteta confirmed he has decided who will start at the heart of defence – refusing to disclose any more details. But both Timber and White are both in contention to fill that role. ‘It looks like it [everyone is available],’ Arteta said. ‘We have another training session this afternoon but Ben finished the game [against Everton], we had to sub him because he hasn’t play much football but he was fine after the game.’ Timber came off the bench against Everton (Picture: Getty Images) On Timber, Arteta added: ‘He is incredible. We didn’t realise the player we signed until he stepped through that door and showed us the quality he has. ‘He is a leader. he has a really tough start with a difficult injury. So to do what he is doing this day is remarkable. ‘He is so consistent so hopefully tomorrow he will be in the best condition to play the game.’ Bukayo Saka meanwhile made his long-awaited return off the bench against Fulham, scoring the goal that turned out to be the winner. The England international was given 24 minutes against the Cottagers, playing the second-half against Everton with Arsenal carefully managing his return. Asked if Saka will start on Tuesday, Arteta said: ‘He’s in a much better place, we have built his minutes and he’s coped with that really well.’
Mikel Arteta is confident Jurrien Timber and Ben White will both be fit to start Arsenal’s Champions League showdown against Real Madrid.
The Gunners welcome the European champions to north London on Tuesday night for the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
The club were handed a devastating injury blow last week when Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off after 15 minutes in the victory over Fulham.
Arsenal confirmed later in the week the Brazil international will have no further role to play this season.
Timber was also forced off that evening with White not making the squad – both dealing with knee issues.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Both men featured at Goodison Park on Saturday however, with White starting at right-back before being replaced by Timber on the hour mark.
Both Timber and White are options to move into centre-half alongside William Saliba ahead of Jakub Kiwior against Los Blancos.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Arteta confirmed he has decided who will start at the heart of defence – refusing to disclose any more details.
But both Timber and White are both in contention to fill that role.
‘It looks like it [everyone is available],’ Arteta said.
‘We have another training session this afternoon but Ben finished the game [against Everton], we had to sub him because he hasn’t play much football but he was fine after the game.’
On Timber, Arteta added: ‘He is incredible. We didn’t realise the player we signed until he stepped through that door and showed us the quality he has.
‘He is a leader. he has a really tough start with a difficult injury. So to do what he is doing this day is remarkable.
‘He is so consistent so hopefully tomorrow he will be in the best condition to play the game.’
Bukayo Saka meanwhile made his long-awaited return off the bench against Fulham, scoring the goal that turned out to be the winner.
The England international was given 24 minutes against the Cottagers, playing the second-half against Everton with Arsenal carefully managing his return.
Asked if Saka will start on Tuesday, Arteta said: ‘He’s in a much better place, we have built his minutes and he’s coped with that really well.’
