Arsenal Injury Update On Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurriën Timber

Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a minor niggle in training recently, but is expected to return to action in due time.

Arsenal fans hoping for a full-strength defence to kick off the new season were handed a dose of cautious optimism on Friday, as Mikel Arteta offered insight into the recoveries of Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurriën Timber.

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The duo, both absent from the Gunners’ recent open training session in Singapore, are on the brink of returning, but the manager made it clear that caution remains the watchword.

Gabriel, who underwent surgery after sustaining a hamstring injury late last season, was described as having picked up a minor training setback. “Gabi got a little niggle in training and we didn't want to take any risk,” Arteta explained during his pre-match press conference.

The Brazilian centre-back was also left out of Arsenal’s 1–0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday, but the manager is hopeful his return is just around the corner. “Hopefully, in the next week or so, he's going to be able to train and play again.”

Dutch defender Jurriën Timber continues his long-awaited comeback.

Jurriën Timber, meanwhile, continues his long-awaited comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Dutchman hasn’t featured for the Gunners since Arsenal's victory over Nottingham Forest in March.

However, Arteta revealed that his rehabilitation is progressing exactly as planned. “He's getting very close,” Arteta said. “He's almost hit every point that we needed after the surgery and the period of rehab that he needed. And I think in the next few days he's going to start doing it again.”

Both players were instrumental parts of Arsenal’s defensive strategy before their respective injuries. Timber, in particular, had impressed with his versatility and calmness on the ball before being struck down by the injury to his right leg.

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With the new Premier League season just weeks away, Arteta will be keen to have both back in contention, but not at the expense of their long-term fitness. For now, the club’s approach is simple: patience, precision, and prevention.

Arsenal won't rush Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurriën Timber back to Action