Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Gabriel and Jurrien Timber after the Arsenal duo were taken off against Liverpool.
The Gunners played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Reds at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Bukayo Saka had put the home side in front before Virgil van Dijk equalised a short while later. Mikel Merino then headed Arteta’s men ahead before the break but Mohamed Salah ensured the points were shared with a well taken goal late on in the second half.
There were worrying signs for Arsenal though as centre-back Gabriel limped off after a collision with Darwin Nunez. The Brazilian was brought off for Jakub Kiwior and was pictured sitting on the bench with ice wrapped around his knee.
Timber, who was making his first start for more than a month, was also taken off in the second half after going down with 15 minutes to go. Arteta brought on youngster Miles Lewis-Skelly to act as cover after it became apparent that Timber couldn’t continue.
Speaking after the match, Arteta said on the duo: “I think we’ve done everything we could to accelerate that process. He [Timber] was so willing. The team and the medical staff have done a great job. We gave ourselves the chance to compete. I don’t know the extent of the injury if there is one. The same with big Gabi. Continue to go.”
READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool as Thomas Partey and Declan Rice superb, Bukayo Saka clinical
READ MORE: What Zinchenko did after Arsenal change as Mikel Arteta shouts at Partey in Liverpool clash
On Gabriel, the Spaniard added: “I don’t know but he could not run. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if it’s the knee joint or the ankle. They’re assessing him now so *touches wood*.”
All associated with Arsenal will be hoping Timber and Gabriel are not out of action for a long period, with the north Londoners already missing the likes of Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori. Asked about the club’s bad run with injuries, Arteta said: “This is football. Circumstances are making us better. If we are able to compete. I told you we are going to be flying on Sunday and we were flying.”
