Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided updates on the injury statuses of Jurrien Timber and William Saliba as the Premier League season approaches. Timber, who underwent surgery in June to address a long-standing groin problem, is expected to miss the start of the season. Arteta stated, "Jurrien is progressing really well. He’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but it’s still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much." This news comes as a setback for Arsenal, particularly with the upcoming fixtures against Como and Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Saliba is currently in 'rest mode' as he manages a back injury that affected his participation in the World Cup. Arteta noted, "William is in rest mode at the moment for two weeks. He had to do almost nothing to avoid aggravating the injury. It’s going to take some time to heal. We know that." The absence of these two key defenders poses a significant challenge for the team, as both players were instrumental in last season's success.

Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of coping without Saliba, stating, "We have experienced that in the past, unfortunately. When he has been available, his stats are incredible. We know that we have lost an incredible player. Same with Jurrien." In light of these injuries, Arsenal has been linked with potential reinforcements, including Sporting Lisbon’s Ivan Fresneda and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. However, Arteta refrained from discussing specific players, emphasizing the need to find the right fit to enhance the squad.

As the team prepares for the season, Arteta is also focused on integrating new signing Bruno Guimaraes into the squad, along with welcoming back several players who recently returned from World Cup duties. He remarked, "Some of them were back today, already watching the game. Some of them, David [Raya] and Bukayo [Saka], were back yesterday, a bit earlier than expected, which is great to see." With different players returning at varying stages of fitness, Arteta is keen to ensure that the team is ready for the competitive challenges ahead.

Despite the disruptions caused by injuries and player returns, Arteta is optimistic about the upcoming season, stating, "This is part of the preparation and a really specific preparation that, if we don’t see the result right now, makes sure that we see it in a week when we start to compete for the major trophies." As Arsenal gears up for their first match against Coventry at home, the focus will be on building a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level.