Arsenal to Rest Jurrien Timber for Carabao Cup Tie Against Ipswich

Arsenal will take no risks with Jurrien Timber, with the defender set to sit out Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Ipswich despite finally making his long-awaited return at the weekend.

The Netherlands international stepped back onto a Premier League pitch in the win over Sunderland on Saturday, coming off the bench to replace Ben White after the England defender suffered a muscular problem in the first half. It was Timber’s first outing of the season after a lengthy lay-off with a groin issue.

Any hopes of that appearance fast-tracking him straight into the cup squad have been quietly parked. Arsenal are expected to leave Timber out against Ipswich, a decision described as precautionary rather than a response to any setback.

Crucially, sources insist there is no fresh concern over the groin injury that has kept him out for so long. The club simply want to manage his workload, ease him back in, and avoid overloading a player who has only just emerged from a long rehabilitation spell.

Mikel Arteta is also poised to rotate more broadly, with several senior players in line for a rest as Arsenal juggle their schedule.

White, meanwhile, has already undergone a scan to assess the damage from the muscular issue he picked up at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal have yet to reveal the full extent of the injury, but he is not expected to feature against Gary O’Neil’s side, leaving Arteta to reshuffle his defence again as the cup campaign continues.