Arsenal without Partey and Timber practice before fighting Monaco.

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Arsenal continue to face defensive issues with Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber missing training on Tuesday.

Partey and Timber both played at full-back in Sunday’s draw at Fulham, with Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalles and Oleksandr Zinchenko all out with injuries.

“We have to manage a lot of players, some are not fit, some are in doubt,” Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Monaco on Wednesday night.

“We have 24 hours to make a decision, and I hope it’s the right decision,”

In Sunday’s draw at Fulham, the Gunners were force to play with a different defensive line for the ninth time this season.

Asked how difficult it would be for Arsenal to play their best football given the number of players injured, Arteta replied: “It is what it is. We have to accept the challenge and it is an opportunity for other players.”

“In the right situation, we have to make decisions ourselves, which makes us do it for the wrong reasons. But at the same time, we have to accept the reality and move forward.”

“I’m very happy with the way we played. The good thing is that it didn’t give us a physicality that made us a different team.”

“I am very happy with this and happy with the players’ adaptation, trying to play in different positions. Hopefully the right situation will come soon and we can do what we want to do.”

Injury could see Kieran Tierney start for Arsenal after suffering a lengthy injury spell at Euro 2024

The left-back has not played for Arsenal since coming on as a 14-minute substitute in the Community Shield win over Man City in August last year.

“Yes, he’s ready, he’s training really well,” Arteta said.

“He’ll definitely get a chance Promotion ufabet from a team perspective now, but he deserves a chance. He’s done it the way he’s been with us. When that happens, you have to give people a chance.”