Mikel Arteta finally confirmed Timber and Tomiyasu injury return dates following West Ham loss ‘Zinchenko is finally going back to bench’

Arsenal lost 2-0 to West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night. Goals from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos secured all three points for Kladivars in a rather frustrating evening for the Gunners.

On the positive side for Mikel Arteta’s team, there were no further injuries ahead of this weekend’s Premier League game away to Fulham. The North Londoners won 3-0 last season thanks to goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.

With this in mind, take a look at the latest Arsenal injury news and possible return dates as we are halfway through the 2023/24 season.

Thomas Partey

Partey has undergone a “procedure” that will keep him out until the end of the year, according to football.london. Arteta recently provided new information on the 30-year-old’s rehabilitation process, but did not clarify whether Partey will be fit for the FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool in early 2024. Arsenal hope to have Partey back for the FA Cup tie against Liverpool before they head to the AFCON.

Injury:Thigh

Expected date of return: Liverpool (H) – January 7.

What Arteta said: “No, nothing has changed yet. Unfortunately we won’t have those two [Partey and Tomiyasu] available yet.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu injured his calf in the second half of Arsenal’s match against Wolves and is expected to be out until the New Year. Arsenal hope to have Tomiyasu back for the FA Cup match against Liverpool, and then he will travel to Japan for the Asian Cup.

Injury.

Expected return: January

What Arteta said: “No, nothing has changed yet. Unfortunately we will not have the two (Partey and Tomiyasu) available yet.”

Fabio Vieira

Vieira had problems with his lower leg and underwent surgery for the injury. The former Porto player has struggled for game time under Arteta so far and his latest issue is likely to cause further problems.

Injury: groin

Expected return date: mid to late January 2024

What Arteta said: “Yes, we have a problem with him. He had some discomfort. We sent him to a specialist who advised him to have a groin operation. He did it yesterday. We don’t expect him to be back until after the winter break.”

Jurrien Timber

Timber, who joined the Gunners from Ajax last summer, suffered a devastating injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. At the end of the first half of Arsenal’s match against Nottingham Forest, the 22-year-old defender fell and twisted his right knee.

It turned out that Timbers’ ACL injury was not as serious as first feared and he is now expected to return between March and May next year. As he was last seen on Arsenal’s club trip to Rwanda, there is a growing belief that fans will see the former Ajax player in action before the end of the current season.

Injury: anterior cruciate ligament

Expected return date: early 2024

What Arteta said: “He’s doing really well. He is coming off a really bad injury, but he is still in good shape at the stage he is at now. It’s very pleasing to see him working every day.

“He will be missed for a long time. The first steps are crucial because of the work he has to do on his knee to regain mobility and strength.”