Jurrien Timber return date now hinted amid ‘crucial’ stage of Arsenal recovery plan

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Journalist Charles Watts has now provided an update on when Arsenal fans can expect to see Jurrien Timber back in action.

Jurrien Timber is edging closer to a return to first-team action at Arsenal.

The Dutch defender has been sidelined since sustaining a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, against Nottingham Forest. Prior to that cruel early blow, Timber had impressed in his short time at Arsenal, shining in pre-season following his summer arrival from Ajax.

It is easy to see what a fully-fit Timber could bring to Mikel Arteta’s squad. His versatility means that he can play in any position across the defensive line, and whilst he is a solid defender, he also has plenty to offer going forwards as well. He is a powerful runner, a confident passer of the ball, comfortable in tight spaces, and capable of inverting from full-back to provide extra support in the middle of the park.

Arteta and the Arsenal staff have been impressed by Timber’s commitment to his recovery. The Spanish coach will be desperate to have the Dutchman back at his disposal as soon as possible. However, of course, the north London club will still have to handle the player with care for some time yet. It would be a disaster if Arsenal were to rush the 22-year-old back too quickly only to the aggravate his injury and see him back on the treatment table.

When will Jurrien Timber be ready to play for Arsenal again?

Charles Watts has now had his say on Timber’s impending return. Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter said, “it’s fantastic that he’s back, that he’s training. Still, I imagine, probably what, a month I’ve got in mind, I would think, before we see him with the first-team. I wonder if he might get a couple of run-outs with the under-21s…that would make sense, rather than him just going straight into the Premier League squad.”

“This is such a crucial stage of that injury, because you have to get the timing absolutely right. You have to be 100% sure his knee can handle it.”

Timber has been using his time on the sidelines wisely, to familiarise himself with life at Arsenal and learn more about Arteta’s tactical approach. He will be desperate to hit the ground running and make up for lost time upon his return. 

For his own protection, though, Arteta may have to temper Timber’s enthusiasm to some extent for the time being. That being said, if the former Ajax man can play a big role for the Gunners between now and the end of the season then that would be a huge boost, and could have a significant impact upon the Premier League title race, especially as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu have had fitness concerns of their own this season.