Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided updates on the fitness of Ben White and Jurrien Timber ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday.

Both players are in contention but will undergo late fitness tests before a final decision is made.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Ben White of Arsenal looks dejected after John Stones of Manchester City (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Ben White of Arsenal looks dejected after John Stones of Manchester City (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Ben White
White has been dealing with a groin issue aggravated during the game against Manchester City. The 26-year-old defender has missed the last three matches, including the 4-2 win over Leicester City and the win against PSG midweek.

Arteta has not ruled White out but confirmed he will face a fitness test before a final decision is made.

Jurrien Timber
Timber, who stepped in for White in recent weeks, picked up a muscular injury during Arsenal‘s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

He was substituted at half-time after “feeling something muscular,” and Arteta opted not to take any risks.

Timber, like White, is close to fitness but will also undergo a late fitness test.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takheiro Tomiyasu, who has been recovering from a knee injury sustained in pre-season, is back in training. Arteta said Tomiyasu is progressing well, but he is unlikely to return until after the international break.

“We had to modify training for a lot of players. It was the same today,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “There will be a decision to make this afternoon, yes or no. They [Timber and White] are close and Tomiyasu is too.”

Current Arsenal injury list (as of 04/10/24)

  • Ben White (Groin, fitness test pre-Southampton)
  • Martin Ødegaard (Ankle sprain, expected return November)
  • Oleksandr Zinchenko (Calf, return date unknown)
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu (Knee, in training, return date unknown)
  • Kieran Tierney (Hamstring, expected return October 2024)
  • Jurrien Timber (Muscular, fitness test pre-Southampton)