There has been plenty of speculation over when injured Arsenal star Jurrien Timber could return from injury, but Mikel Arteta has now killed any false hope over a quick recovery.
Timber signed for Arsenal this summer and was outstanding in the Community Shield, but he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest, in what was a huge blow for him and his side.
ACL injuries can take a year to fully recover from, but rumours had surfaced in recent weeks that he could be set to play some part in the second half of this season. However, Arteta has now played down hopes that he could play any significant minutes during this season.
Timber travelled with the squad to Dubai, and took part in some outdoor training, leading to excitement over a return, but he is still a long way off from appearing in Arsenal colours again.
Mikel Arteta gives Jurrien Timber injury update
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace tomorrow, Arteta claimed that there should be little expectation that Timber plays a part in this campaign.
“There is a possibility but at the moment he is still very, very far from competing,” Arteta stated of the defender.
“That’s the reality of it. We’re hopeful that he can have an impact at the end of the season, if everything goes well, and it looks like there is a chance that that might happen but I think it’s too early to make that call.
Arsenal should write Timber off for the season
A lack of defensive depth has meant Timber’s loss has been greatly felt. Ben White has been carrying an injury, Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed the last two games and Takehiro Tomiyasu is at the Asia Cup.
However, it would be negligent, and unfair to Timber, to try and rush him back ahead of schedule. If Arsenal are still in the Champions League or in the Premier League title race later this season, throwing him straight into high-pressure games would be far from ideal.
Even if Timber regains fitness during this campaign, ligament injuries take a long time to recover from both physically and mentally, and the best way for him to recover would be easing him in during pre-season for the next campaign.
Arsenal will hope to have Timber fit for the start of next season given his quality and versatility, but it would be unrealistic to expect him to make a significant contribution at any point this season as he continues his recovery.
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