Arteta Sweats Over Timber Injury as Arsenal Face Crucial PSG Clash

Arsenal’s Champions League hopes have taken a worrying hit as manager Mikel Arteta revealed that star defender Jurrien Timber is unlikely to feature in their crucial second-leg semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain next week.

The Dutch defender, who has been a standout performer since returning from an ACL surgery, limped off during the tense first leg at the Emirates — a game Arsenal lost 1-0. He was notably absent during Arsenal’s shock 2–1 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, further raising eyebrows.

In a post-match press conference, Arteta expressed pessimism over Timber’s availability for the trip to Paris.

“Confident? No,” Arteta admitted.
“At the moment, no, because he wasn’t able to play here and we play again in four days.”

The news comes as a major blow to Arsenal fans, who have seen Timber blossom into a reliable presence at the back, notching two goals and offering versatility in defense. His potential absence leaves Ben White as the likely replacement at right-back — a move that may weaken Arsenal’s ability to contain PSG’s lethal attacking front, especially with the likes of Mbappé and Dembélé prowling the wings.

⚽ Opinion: Arsenal's Momentum Slipping?

From an early Premier League title challenge to a semi-final setback in Europe, things seem to be spiraling at the wrong time for Arteta’s men. Timber’s injury adds to the concerns of a fatigued squad struggling to maintain form on both domestic and European fronts.

If Arsenal are to pull off a comeback in Paris, they’ll need to find both tactical discipline and mental resilience — two traits Timber has embodied all season. His absence could be the difference between a place in the final and another "almost" for the Gunners.

💭 Can Arsenal overcome PSG without Timber? Or will Arteta’s dream season crumble under the weight of bad timing and injuries?

Drop your predictions!

#TimberInjuryBlow #UCLDrama #ArtetaUpdate #COYG #PSGvsArsenal #ArsenalInEurope