Arsenal injury update: Partey, Smith Rowe & Timber latest return dates announced today as Arteta eyes His first premier league title
Arsenal’s injury problems have eased, but they remain without a few long-term absentees.
The Gunners returned to action after the international break with a dramatic win over Brentford, as Kai Havertz’s late header sent them to the top of the Premier League table.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard both started that match, having recovered from their injury issues, while Ben White came off the bench in the closing stages.
Fabio Vieira remains suspended, after his red card against Burnley, but aside from him it is now only Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Jurrien Timber on the sidelines.
Thomas Partey
It has been a hugely frustrating season for Thomas Partey, who has played just 15 minutes for Arsenal since August.
The midfielder had a procedure on a “significant” thigh injury earlier this month and is expected to be out for at least the rest of the year. It remains to be seen whether he is fit for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
“I said that hopefully it’s going to be weeks and not months and he’s working towards that,” Mikel Arteta recently said.
“He needs support. Hopefully the injury will heal in the right way and we’ll have him back because he is a big player for us.”
Potential return date: January 2024
Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe started against Sheffield United at the end of October, in what was his first Premier League start for 524 days.
However, he was unable to build on that as he picked up a knee injury and has been on the sidelines since, with it confirmed at the time that he was facing “weeks” out.
Arteta confirmed he was “worried” about the situation, but it is hoped that Smith Rowe could be back in first-team contention before the end of the year.
Potential return date: December 2023
Jurrien Timber
There was real excitement about Jurrien Timber’s potential in an Arsenal shirt after a hugely encouraging pre-season, but the summer signing suffered an ACL injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.
Arteta was asked last week whether Timber will be able to continue his rehabilitation on grass soon, responding: “I hope so.
“Doing what kind of activity that’s something very different. He’s been for a few walks but that’s very far from competing. But he’s in a good place.”
Reports in the Netherlands have claimed that Timber could yet miss Euro 2024 next summer, but no timeline on his return has been given.
Potential return date: Unknown
