Arteta Says ‘We Need to Look After Him’ as Timber Returns After Injury

Arsenal’s 4‑2 victory at Portman Road on Tuesday felt like a spring‑board for Mikel Arteta’s side, but a lingering question lingered in the dug‑out – why was Jurrien Timber not in the squad?

When pressed by reporters, the Gunners’ boss gave a straight‑forward answer: Timber wasn’t sidelined by a fresh injury. “No, everything is fine,” Arteta said, chuckling. “He’s actually played more than we expected. The other day he got 53 minutes after five months out. We need to look after him.”

The 25‑year‑old Dutchman is only just getting back on his feet after a groin operation that kept him out for most of the season. He made his return in Arsenal’s 2‑0 Premier League win at Sunderland, coming on for Ben White at halftime and completing ten of his thirteen passes – a modest but promising start.

Timber’s limited minutes this campaign have been a source of frustration for both fans and the manager. With White still missing from first‑team training, Arteta hinted that Timber could earn a start against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, provided he stays healthy.

Meanwhile, the spotlight also fell on midfielder Mikel Merino, whose two‑goal cameo against Ipswich earned Arteta’s glowing praise. “He’s unbelievable – one of the most intelligent players I’ve worked with,” the manager enthused. “He thinks about everyone, he can occupy different positions, and his knack for scoring from midfield is something special.”

Merino, fresh from lifting the 2026 World Cup with Spain, has yet to start a league game for Arsenal, but his impact in cup fixtures suggests he could become a regular fixture in Arteta’s plans.

As the Gunners ride a seven‑game winning streak, the manager’s mantra remains clear: nurture the talent, manage the load, and keep the momentum rolling into the next Premier League challenge.