Jurrien Timber to Miss Carabao Cup Tie Against Ipswich

Jurrien Timber will sit out Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Ipswich on Tuesday night, with the club opting for caution after his long-awaited return from injury.

The Netherlands defender made his first appearance of the season in the Premier League win over Sunderland on Saturday, coming off the bench to replace Ben White, who pulled up with a muscular problem in the first half at the Stadium of Light.

Timber’s omission is understood to be purely precautionary. There is no suggestion of a setback with the long-term groin issue that kept him out for an extended spell. Arsenal want to manage his workload carefully and ease him back into regular action rather than throw him straight into back-to-back games.

The plan is to build him up gradually. One step at a time, not two in three days.

Mikel Arteta is also expected to rotate heavily and rest several senior players for the visit of Ipswich, with the schedule beginning to tighten and bigger tests looming.

White, meanwhile, has undergone a scan to assess the damage from his muscular injury. Arsenal are yet to reveal the full extent of the problem, but the defender is set to miss the clash with Gary O’Neil’s side as the club await clarity on how long he will be sidelined.