Mikel Arteta has been left ruing the unavailability of one of his Arsenal defenders, but was delighted that Ben White was able to return from injury against Bournemouth.
Martin Odegaard’s absence against the Cherries was expected but Bukayo Saka did not travel to the Vitality Stadium, and was left out of the matchday squad for the first time this season. Jurrien Timber was also left at home.
The defender – who started five of his six league games before injury – has not played since being taken at half-time against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1. He was not called up for the Netherlands’ Nations League matches during the recent international break as a result.
Speaking ahead of kick-off against Bournemouth, Arteta lamented the fact that Timber did not recover from his unspecified setback in time for Saturday. He said: “We miss Jurrien as well. Ben [White] is back, he is in a good place and that is very good news.”
Arteta also addressed Saka’s absence. “We tried the last few days but he didn’t have the right feeling,” he outlined. |There was no point pushing him and we have very good options as well.”
Odegaard is advancing in his return from his ligament setback suffered in September. Arteta said that the club will learn more about how far along his recovery is “next week”.
He said in his pre-match press conference: “In that later stage of his rehab, where he is at the moment because he’s already doing a lot of stuff already, he needs to clear some markers.
“There are certain things he needs to be comfortable with doing, especially with the ball. Next week will be crucial to understanding how close he is.”
