Arsenal Boss Arteta Sweats Over Key Injury Ahead of Crucial PSG Clash After Bournemouth Defeat
- Mikel Arteta has confirmed Jurrien Timber is unlikely to be fit for the Champions League semi-final second leg against PSG
- Arsenal suffered their first-ever home loss to Bournemouth, collapsing from a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium
- With several key players injured and top-four hopes slipping, Gunners fans are growing frustrated with Arteta's decisions
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that a key player will likely be sidelined for the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain in France later this week.
The Gunners suffered their first-ever home loss to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, surrendering a 1-0 lead and allowing the Cherries to stage a memorable comeback.
Source: Getty Images
The result has derailed Arsenal’s domestic momentum and came at the worst possible time, as they travel to Paris needing to overturn a one-goal deficit from the UCL semi-final's first leg.
Arteta opted to field a full-strength line-up despite the looming Champions League clash, showing intent to stay competitive in the Premier League despite Liverpool already wrapping up the title.
His approach appeared to pay off early when Declan Rice marked his 100th appearance for the club by opening the scoring, coolly finishing from a clever through ball from Martin Odegaard.
However, Arsenal’s recurring problem of failing to build on a lead reared its head once again in the second half, as Andoni Iraola’s side began to grow in confidence, per the Premier League website.
The equaliser came via a powerful header from Dean Huijsen after a long throw-in from Antoine Semenyo, a player rumoured to be on Arsenal’s radar, via Sky Sports.
Minutes later, Arsenal's defensive fragility was exposed again as Evanilson bundled home a scrappy second for the Cherries from a corner.
Arteta confirms injury ahead of UCL semis
After the game, Arteta stated that Jurrien Timber was a doubt for next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on May 7, per the UCL website.
The Dutch defender was forced off late in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, where Ousmane Dembélé's early goal gave PSG an advantage heading into the return fixture at Parc des Princes.
Timber, who has been a key part of Arsenal’s defensive setup, was absent from the squad that faced Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, adding to the London side's problems.
Speaking before the 2-1 defeat at home, the Arsenal boss provided a worrying update on the defender’s fitness, via Metro Sports.
“Confident? No. At the moment, no, because he [Timber] wasn’t able to play here and we play again in four days.”
Source: Getty Images
Arteta addresses other injury concerns
The Arsenal manager was also quizzed post-match about an incident involving captain Odegaard, who appeared to strike the turf awkwardly while taking a shot late in the game.
Arteta admitted he had yet to receive a medical update, but this could be yet another blow for the Gunners, with their aspirations of a trophy-winning season slipping away quickly.
“I haven’t had a chance yet to speak to the doctor giving me an update on that, so I don’t know,” the Arsenal manager said.
The Gunners are already grappling with an injury list that includes Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho, and Riccardo Calafiori - all of whom were unavailable for selection against Bournemouth.
Despite the looming UCL semi-final second leg in Paris, Declan Rice played 74 minutes, William Saliba and Odegaard played the full 90, and both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were only withdrawn in the final moments of the match.
Arsenal fans demand Arteta’s sacking
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Arsenal’s Bournemouth defeat has put their Champions League hopes for next season in jeopardy, with several teams now within striking distance.
Furious Gunners fans have called for Arteta to be sacked, accusing him of poor tactical decisions and exhausting the squad ahead of their Champions League second leg clash with PSG.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
