Arsenal dealt major injury blow as star now set to undergo surgery amid fitness issues
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is set to undergo an operation due to an ankle injury, according to The Telegraph journalist Sam Dean.
The Dutchman has been managing fitness issues in recent weeks, and the Gunners medical team has decided that he should go under the knife.
Arsenal waited until the end of the season to make the decision but it remains to be seen when Timber will return to full fitness.
The versatile defender missed almost the whole of 2023-24 after suffering an ACL injury on his right knee in August 2023 and only returning to first-team action in May 2024 having required surgery.
The 2025-26 campaign starts on August 16 and Arsenal will hope to have Timber back before then.
The 23-year-old has featured in 48 games across all competitions for the North London club this season, weighing in with two goals and four assists after making just three appearances in his debut campaign.
Timber has played at right-back, left-back and centre-back for Arsenal this term, and they need him available as soon as possible as they look to hit the ground running when next season kicks off.
Injuries derailed their campaign, consequently contributing to their elimination from the Champions League in the semi-finals and another second-place finish in the Premier League for the third season running.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta would have fancied their chances of winning both competitions had some of his most important players not suffered knocks at various times of the season, and the last thing he wants is to start a new season with one of his key defenders unavailable due to injury.
Arsenal play for the last time in 2024-25 on Sunday when they travel to face relegated Southampton, and a draw will see them hold on to their current position if Manchester City win their remaining two games.
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