Jurrien Timber absence explained as Mikel Arteta names strong Arsenal XI for Bournemouth battle

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is reportedly missing from the Gunners' squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday evening due to a minor injury.

The Netherlands international is a notable absentee from Mikel Arteta's squad for the 5.30pm kickoff, as Ben White comes into the starting XI as one of two changes from Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal did not give an official diagnosis on Timber's condition when announcing their team for the visit of the Cherries, but according to journalist Ryan Taylor, the ex-Ajax man is nursing a knock.

Timber's problem is not thought to be a severe one, though, and his absence is mostly precautionary to ensure that he will be fit to face PSG in Wednesday's UCL semi-final second leg.

Timber's replacement White and Thomas Partey are the two players recalled to the Arsenal XI for Saturday's showdown, as the latter - who was suspended in midweek - replaces Mikel Merino in midfield.

Arteta has resisted the urge to make more changes even with PSG on the horizon, as the Gunners are yet to secure the top-five Premier League finish that would guarantee Champions League football next season.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has made three alterations to the team that held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw last weekend, as Julian Araujo, Lewis Cook and Marcus Tavernier replace Adam Smith, Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo.

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli Subs: Setford, Tierney, Zinchenko, Clarke, Merino, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Sterling

Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Araujo, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Dango; Evanilson Subs: Dennis, Senesi, Brooks, Scott, Smith, Soler, Jebbison, Hill, Semenyo