Arteta’s Patience Tested
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both William Saliba and Jurriën Timber remain sidelined as the club approaches the international break in September.
Saliba, who suffered a back injury during the World Cup, has yet to return to training, and the club has ruled out any surgical intervention, opting instead for a cautious rehabilitation.
Timber, who missed the summer tournament because of a persistent groin problem, is making good progress but still needs several weeks of work before a definitive return date can be set.
With the pair unavailable, Arteta has been forced to experiment with alternative defensive pairings, looking to maintain stability while the injured duo recover.
The Gunners face eight matches before the break, starting with a Community Shield clash against Manchester City on Sunday, followed by league fixtures against Coventry City, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Sunderland and Brighton & Hove Albion.
In addition to domestic competition, Arsenal will also contest a Carabao Cup third‑round tie and participate in the Champions League league phase before the September hiatus.
Arteta stressed the importance of patience, noting that both players are improving but that a clear timeline for their comeback has not yet emerged.
The next competitive fixture for the north London side is scheduled for October 10 against Leeds United, roughly three months after Saliba’s World Cup injury.