Arsenal: Jurrien Timber to have operation on ankle in bid to be fit for new season | OneFootball

Only five outfield Arsenal players have played more minutes than Timber this season

Minor procedure: Jurrien Timber has been playing through the pain barrier in recent months

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is set to have an operation on his ankle.

The Gunners were knocked out in the semi-final stage nearly two weeks ago by Paris Saint-Germain and Timber has not played since.

The right-back is now set to have a minor procedure to solve the ankle issue he has been having.

It is too early to put a definitive timeline on Timber’s return, but there is early optimism he will be back ready for pre-season.

Arsenal are heading to the Far East this summer, where they will play matches in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Timber has had an excellent season and has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers.

The 23-year-old has bounced back from missing the whole of his debut campaign with a knee injury.

Timber has been a regular for Arsenal and, in the Premier League, only five of the Gunners’ outfield players have played more minutes than him.

Ben White has started the last two games at right-back in Timber’s absence and is expected to keep his place for Sunday’s trip to Southampton.

Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of William Saliba for that game after he was forced off during Sunday’s win over Newcastle with a hamstring issue.

The Frenchman is due to be assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff in the coming days, but they will not take any risks with him if he is not 100 per cent.