Arsenal double injury boost as Mikel Arteta provides positive Gabriel and Jurrien Timber update

Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on the fitness of Arsenal duo Gabriel and Jurrien Timber.

Both defenders were forced off in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel injured his knee early in the second half and, after trying to carry on, was forced to come off.

The Brazilian has since undergone scans to assess the severity of the injury and Arteta has said “it doesn't look bad at all”.

Gabriel was always unlikely to play at Preston in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Timber was also forced off against Liverpool with around 15 minutes to go but Arteta has confirmed he is not injured again.

On Gabriel, Arteta said: “We are still assessing him. It doesn't look bad at all. It was much better the next day. Hopefully he’ll be fine. He has done some tests.”

Arteta insisted it was too soon to pinpoint exactly when Gabriel would be able to return to action for Arsenal.

On Timber, Arteta said: “Jurrien was fine. He was very tired. He’s been out for a while and he could not continue the game. Not a new injury there at all.”

Asked if Timber had been suffering from cramp, the manager responded: “He could not continue so we decided to make a very safe call. But he was fine.”

Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries this season, especially in defence.

Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both out with knee issues, while Kieran Tierney is sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Oleksandr Zinchenko injured his calf while on international duty last month and has been on the bench for the past three games, but he has not played.

Arteta has confirmed that Calafiori will be out “for a few weeks”, while captain Martin Odegaard is back in light training and Arsenal hope he will be ready to return before next month’s international break.