Mikel Arteta gave an update on his players who were injured vs Liverpool (Image: X/Sky Sports PL)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has provided updates on Gabriel and Jurrien Timber after the defensive duo limped off with injuries in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Gabriel came off in the 54th minute to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior with a suspected knee problem. The Brazilian suffered a knock when making a challenge and initially tried to carry on, before signalling to the bench he could not continue.
Timber, who has suffered from numerous injury issues since moving to north London, also came off in the second half, with teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly brought on. Bukayo Saka was subsituted late on but the 23-year-old was not injured.
When asked about Gabriel and Timber’s injuries, the Spaniard admitted he “didn’t know” the extent of their respective issues. The Gunners boss also said captain Martin Odegaard is a “bit far away” in his recovery from an ankle problem.
Arteta also questioned his team’s mentality after claiming they lacked the bravery to see out the result, having been pegged back twice by Liverpool.
“Very proud of the team. The courage, quality, domination in the game we wanted to play especially in the first half,” Arteta said to Sky Sports.
“[It] should’ve been a bigger score in first half, they [Liverpool] came out in second half and we didn’t have courage.”
Arsenal defender Gabriel went down injured against Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Arsenal twice took the lead through Saka and Mikel Merino, taking a 2-1 lead into the interval after Virgil van Dijk levelled. But Mohamed Salah’s late strike ensured the spoils would be shared.
Despite coming under intense pressure in the final stages, Arteta insisted his side deserved all three points and lamented their missed opportunities.
“We deserved to win the game. We were the better team. Learnings from both goals, second one is a transition moment we have to end up in final third. You can not give that away.
Jurrien Timber was brought off late on (Image: Getty)
“We were clear in what we had to do and the execution, determination and aggression with and without the ball was really good. A few moments where we should’ve put the ball in the net.
“In the first phase we needed more courage to play. We created big opportunities.”
The result ensures Arsenal climb back to third in the Premier League, although Arteta’s men are already five points behind Manchester City.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1967904/Arsenal-news-Mikel-Arteta-injury-update