Arsenal star Jurrien Timber issues injury update as Mikel Arteta sweats on defender

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Jurrien Timber has been missing for Arsenal through injury since the 2-0 Premier League win over Everton last month when he was forced off at half-time

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Jurrien Timber ahead of two big matches that are likely to define their season.

The Gunners host Sporting CP in their Champions League quarter-final second-leg on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium before travelling to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Dutch defender is understood to have been hampered by a groin issue, sustained in the 2-0 win over Everton on March 14.

Timber also received a blow to the ankle during the same match and was forced off before half-time against the Toffees.

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He has not been available since, missing the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City and Holland's international friendlies against Norway and Ecuador, respectively.

The right-back was moving freely on Saturday after watching his side's shock 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth from the sidelines.

When asked in the mixed zone whether he would be available for this weekend's crunch Premier League title clash at the Etihad Stadium, Timber replied: "It's recovering, we'll see. I can't say but I am recovering."

Mikel Arteta needs the 24-year-old back as soon as possible as Ben White has had a significantly increased workload in the absence of his team-mate.

White was also involved in both of England's friendlies against Uruguay, in which he scored and gave away a penalty, and Japan following his return to the Three Lions fold.

Centre-back Cristhian Mosquera can also play at right-back if required but Arsenal have sorely missed Timber's energy and robustness on the right flank since his injury.

Arteta is yet to provide a clear timeline on when Arsenal can expect the Netherlands international to be back despite issuing several coy updates on his progress.

The Gunners are dealing with a raft of injuries as captain Martin Odegaard, winger Bukayo Saka and left-back Riccardo Calafiori all missed the Bournemouth defeat.

Odegaard and Calafiori picked up knocks against Sporting while Saka has not played since starting the Carabao Cup final defeat to City at Wembley last month.

Mikel Merino has responded well to foot surgery but is unlikely to return until the closing stages of the season as he targets a ticket to the World Cup with Spain.

Arsenal take a 1-0 lead into this week's second-leg against Sporting, though the Portuguese outfit will fancy their chances of causing an upset given the Gunners have now lost three of their past four matches in all competitions.

Sporting also eliminated Arsenal from the Europa League at the Emirates Stadium back in March 2023 when they won on penalties following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.