Mikel Arteta gives Jurrien Timber injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid

Mikel Arteta admits he cannot put a date on Jurrien Timber’s return as the defender continues to struggle with a groin injury.

The Dutchman has missed Arsenal’s last eight matches and remains sidelined ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

Timber did not train with the squad on Tuesday, and Arteta confirmed the club still do not know when he will be fit enough to play again.

“We don’t know yet,” Arteta said when asked for a return date.

“He is doing some stuff on the pitch at the moment.

But we need to get the gears up and be able to do more things before he can compete with us.”

With Arsenal sitting three points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race and only four games remaining, Timber’s absence could prove significant.

Arteta remains unsure whether the former Ajax man will feature in the run-in against the champions.

Arteta also confirmed that Kai Havertz will miss the visit of the Spanish side after coming off injured in last weekend’s win over Newcastle United. Eberechi Eze, however, is available after also being forced out of that match.

The Arsenal manager expressed confidence ahead of the semi-final, with his side chasing a first European Cup final appearance since 2006.

“After that massive win for us against Newcastle, you could sense straight away the energy and the confidence coming into this game,” Arteta said.

“It’s a massive privilege to be here again, two years in a row in the semi-final of the Champions League, representing our club.

What an opportunity we’re going to grab with both hands.

“We’re going to see a team that wants to be dominant, that wants to win it, and that wants to start to decide the tie tomorrow.”

Arsenal welcome Atletico to north London on Wednesday evening looking to take a first-leg advantage into next week’s return fixture in Madrid.