Mikel Arteta reveals why Jurrien Timber went off at half-time in Arsenal’s Champions League win over PSG – only a day after the defender referred to as soccer’s packed calendar ‘a harmful factor’

Jurrien Timber was substituted at half-time of Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League win over PSG after feeling ‘one thing muscular’, Mikel Arteta has confirmed. 

The Dutchman’s absence from the staff that got here out for the second interval was a shock, given his current kind and warranted show on Tuesday evening in opposition to the harmful Bradley Barcola. 

However with an intense schedule that sees Arsenal tackle Southampton on Saturday afternoon earlier than the subsequent worldwide break, the choice was taken to not threat him after the interval, with the house aspect already having fun with a commanding lead. 

‘He was unbelievable.’ Arteta stated post-match. ‘He felt one thing muscular and we did not need to take any dangers. He has performed numerous minutes in the previous couple of weeks and we now have to handle it.’

Timber’s debut marketing campaign was cruelly reduce quick by a critical knee harm sustained simply 45 minutes into his Arsenal debut. This time period Arteta has wasted no time in utilizing the versatile defender, beginning him seven occasions in all competitions. 

Timber’s challenge, which the Gunners hope will probably be nothing greater than a niggle, comes a day after he turned the most recent high-profile participant to talk out in opposition to the present soccer calendar.

Earlier this month, Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri claimed that gamers could also be compelled to go on strike, whereas Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson – who missed 15 video games with a hamstring harm final season – has additionally expressed his concern.

Rodri has since ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out of motion for the remainder of the season.

‘To be trustworthy, I completely agree with them.’ The 23-year-old informed reporters forward of the go to of PSG. ‘It is a massive matter in the intervening time in dressing rooms, not solely at Metropolis and Liverpool, but additionally our dressing room.

‘I actually suppose it is a harmful factor. Final week we performed Metropolis, and so they performed once more two days later, and that is an excessive amount of. I perceive why gamers are complaining.

‘It is a actually good level. The gamers are talking proper now and let their voices be heard. It would not seem like it is getting any much less (busy) in the intervening time.

‘We’re simply making an attempt to be there each sport to provide our greatest, but it surely will get exhausting when the video games hold coming and coming. Particularly in England with out having a winter break, it is actually exhausting.

‘I did not play final season, so I am simply having fun with taking part in proper now – you will not hear me complaining – however I completely perceive what they’re saying.’

On Tuesday evening, Arsenal recorded their first win of their Champions League marketing campaign, in what’s the maiden season of the revamped competitors. Final time period groups performed six video games within the group stage, however that has been elevated to eight because the format change.

Moreover, groups that end between ninth and twenty fourth within the expanded ‘league part’ now have to compete in an additional two-legged play-off spherical to attempt to attain the spherical of 16.

Chelsea and Man Metropolis are additionally set to compete in an expanded FIFA Membership World Cup subsequent summer season, going down within the USA between June 15 and July 13.