Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been pictured without crutches.
Arsenal paid £38 million to prise Jurrien Timber away from Ajax in the recent summer transfer window.
The versatile Dutchman made a fine start to life at the Emirates Stadium. Timber impressed for Arsenal in pre-season, and proved his capacity to operate at left-back as he excelled in the position as the Gunners overcame Manchester City to win the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
Mikel Arteta was certainly impressed with the 22-year-old on his arrival at the north London club. The Arsenal boss also praised Timber as being a “special character,” as quoted by the club’s official website.
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However, disaster struck for Timber on the opening day of the Premier League season. The 15-cap Netherlands international sustained an ACL injury against Nottingham Forest, and subsequently had to undergo surgery.
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Jurrien Timber back on his feet
Arteta himself stated that Timber was “not going to be in this season” for Arsenal.
Timber is surely a long way from returning to first team action, but signs that he no longer requires the use of crutches at all times will provide a welcome boost to fans of the club.
On Monday, September 18th, the Arsenal first team gathered to take the official squad group photograph. Timber was pictured smiling and walking unaided by crutches at the event.
It will comes as a major boost for the Gunners if Timber can return to full fitness ahead of schedule and in time to play a role for the club on the pitch in the second half of the campaign.
In the meantime, Arteta will be desperate for the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu to remain fully fit. Both players have had multiple injuries in their time as Arsenal players, and it is now more crucial than ever that they can ensure that they are consistently available for selection.