Arsenal and the Netherlands have suffered a major World Cup blow after Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the tournament due to the groin injury that disrupted the closing months of his season.
The defender has not recovered sufficiently from the problem and has withdrawn from Ronald Koeman’s squad, with Lutsharel Geertruida called up as his replacement.
Timber had not featured for Arsenal since March before making an emotional return in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30. The 24-year-old came off the bench in Budapest, providing a welcome boost for Mikel Arteta after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
However, that appearance has proved to be his final action before the World Cup, with the Dutch Football Association confirming he will leave the national team’s training camp after their friendly against Uzbekistan.
It is a particularly cruel setback for Timber, who worked tirelessly to make himself available for Arsenal’s run-in and the Champions League final, only to see his hopes of representing his country on the biggest stage ended by injury.
The news is also a significant concern for Arsenal. Timber’s versatility proved invaluable during the Gunners’ Premier League title-winning campaign and his absence was keenly felt towards the end of the season.
Arteta was already without fellow right-back Ben White through injury during the closing weeks, leaving Arsenal short of options in a key area of the pitch.
Timber has won 23 caps for the Netherlands since making his international debut in 2021 and had been expected to play an important role for a side hoping to make a deep run in North America.
The Dutch begin their World Cup campaign against Japan before further Group F matches against Sweden and Tunisia.
Disaster waiting to happen. What was the Dutch coach think of when he knew Timba had not played competitive football for almost a year apart from being forced to play a few minutes, whilst really still recovering from a long absence.
I blame both the over enthusiastic Timber and the ignorant Dutch coach, as Arteta (although forced to play him last game) would have wished he stayed in England and have more conditioning and pre training time. What were they thinking or expecting!