Mikel Arteta gives injury update on 'unbelievable' Arsenal star after substitution vs PSG

Jurrien Timber didn't finish Arsenal's win over PSG as he came off with a muscle issue as Mikel Arteta confessed he's used his defender more regularly than he planned

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits that Jurrien Timber has played more than he'd have liked after the defender picked up a potential muscle issue.

The Dutchman was withdrawn during his side's win over PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night amid fears he could've picked up something more serious. Timber was injured in the opening game of last season as he made his debut and went on to miss the entire campaign.

Arteta has therefore been keen not to overload the ex-Ajax man, who has spent months on the sideline, but Timber has still been utilised regularly. The Arsenal boss concedes that he has played more often than had planned and was keen to tread with caution.

He said on the defender: "He was unbelievable in the first half but he felt something muscular and he wasn’t certain. He’s played more minutes than we would have wanted in the past few weeks and we have to manage him."

Arsenal now have more depth in their backline, which is among the best in Europe, which may allow Timber so time out of the team. The summer capture of Riccardo Calafiori means that Arteta can shuffle his defensive line if needed, especially with Arsenal juggling several competitions.

One plus for Arteta was the debut of Mikel Merino, who has been suffering with his own injury problems since he signed in the summer from Real Sociedad. His performances at the Euros put him in the shop window and he came off the bench for his first outing.

Merino, once of Newcastle, played the final half an hour and will add more depth to the Gunners' midfield - which has been one of the few criticisms thrown at the north Londoners as they attempt to make themselves a trophy-winning outfit once more.

Arteta said on his new arrival: "Really good, because he joined us and first session he got injured. He had only one session with us, he was ready, he was really willing to be part of this today and obviously with the injuries and changes we had to make, we believe that he was the player that could help us in that phase. I think he’s done really well."

Southampton are Arsenal's next assignment before the international break. Upon the resumption of domestic football the Gunners will then endure six matches in the space of 18 days, which may test their resources.

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