Mikel Arteta was unable to provide clarity on Jurriën Timber's physical condition after Arsenal's defeat to Bournemouth. The Dutchman remains a doubt for the return leg against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
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Mikel Arteta was unable to provide any certainty regarding Jurriën Timber’s availability following Arsenal’s 1-2 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday a result that not only dented their hopes in the Premier League but also cast further doubt over the team’s readiness for the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Timber, who recently returned to action after a long-term knee injury, was substituted during the first leg against PSG and has not been involved since. His physical condition remains a concern, and with just days remaining before Arsenal travel to Paris, time is running out for the Dutch defender to prove his fitness. Speaking to the media after the match, Arteta admitted that Timber’s participation remains uncertain.
"With Timber, we need to see how the injury develops," the Spanish coach explained. "Do I have confidence? At the moment, no, because he couldn’t play today and we face PSG in four days now three. We’ll assess him again tomorrow and see where we are."
The timing of the defeat against Bournemouth could hardly be worse. With only two games left in the Premier League season, Arsenal are in a tight battle for second place but are also at risk of dropping out of the top five altogether. The loss leaves them exposed in a race that now involves multiple clubs, and missing out on a Champions League spot would be a major setback for a team that had set high ambitions at the beginning of the season.
"We wanted to create a good atmosphere a positive result would have helped us build towards what we wanted for Wednesday," Arteta said. "What we’ve created now is a lot of anger, frustration, and a sick feeling in our stomachs. That’s the reality. But we have to channel that. We have to use it as motivation and transform it into a top performance in Paris."
Bournemouth took full advantage of Arsenal’s defensive fragility, scoring once in each half and holding firm despite a late push from the Gunners. The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium grew increasingly tense as fans watched their team struggle to break down the visitors, and by the final whistle, frustration was boiling over both in the stands and on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Champions League opponents PSG also suffered defeat this weekend, losing 2-1 to Strasbourg. However, the result had no bearing on their domestic situation, as the Parisian giants have already been crowned Ligue 1 champions. That allows Luis Enrique's side to focus entirely on their European campaign an advantage not lost on Arteta.
"PSG are already champions, so they have the luxury to do that," he noted. "We don’t have that luxury. We still have a lot to play for in the Premier League, because mathematically, we haven’t qualified yet. Every game matters. Every point matters. And we now need to recover and reset very quickly."
The pressure is building for Arsenal on multiple fronts. The first leg against PSG ended in a narrow 1-1 draw at the Emirates, leaving everything to play for in the return fixture in Paris. With Timber doubtful, squad rotation limited, and morale shaken by the defeat to Bournemouth, the Gunners face an uphill task to reach the Champions League final.
Injuries have once again plagued Arsenal’s run-in, with key players either sidelined or not at full fitness. Alongside Timber, there are still concerns over the fitness of midfielder Thomas Partey and forward Gabriel Jesus, both of whom have struggled for consistency in recent weeks. Arteta will need to make critical decisions in the coming days, balancing recovery, preparation, and mental resilience as his squad enters the most decisive stretch of the season.
The coming week could define Arsenal’s entire campaign and perhaps the trajectory of the club under Arteta. A victory in Paris would not only secure a place in the Champions League final but also restore confidence heading into the final round of Premier League matches. Anything less could leave Arsenal empty-handed after a season that once promised so much.
Updated: 12:19, 4 May 2025
