Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is reportedly missing from the Gunners’ squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday evening due to a minor injury.
The Netherlands international is a notable absentee from Mikel Arteta‘s squad for the 5.30pm kickoff, as Ben White comes into the starting XI as one of two changes from Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal did not give an official diagnosis on Timber’s condition when announcing their team for the visit of the Cherries, but according to journalist Ryan Taylor, the ex-Ajax man is nursing a knock.
Timber’s problem is not thought to be a severe one, though, and his absence is mostly precautionary to ensure that he will be fit to face PSG in Wednesday’s UCL semi-final second leg.
Timber’s replacement White and Thomas Partey are the two players recalled to the Arsenal XI for Saturday’s showdown, as the latter – who was suspended in midweek – replaces Mikel Merino in midfield.
Arteta has resisted the urge to make more changes even with PSG on the horizon, as the Gunners are yet to secure the top-five Premier League finish that would guarantee Champions League football next season.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has made three alterations to the team that held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw last weekend, as Julian Araujo, Lewis Cook and Marcus Tavernier replace Adam Smith, Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo.
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Subs: Setford, Tierney, Zinchenko, Clarke, Merino, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Sterling
Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Araujo, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Dango; Evanilson
Subs: Dennis, Senesi, Brooks, Scott, Smith, Soler, Jebbison, Hill, Semenyo
No Data Analysis info
