‘Really important’ Arsenal star suffers injury setback to destroy best-case scenario

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Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is now facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to an ACL injury as the Dutchman has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation process.

That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports that Timber has a fluid situation as he looks to regain fitness. The 22-year-old has been out of action since Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 on the opening day of the Premier League season in August when he sustained an injury.

Timber started the Emirates Stadium encounter but Mikel Arteta had to remove his summer signing early in the second half. Their £34m, rising to £38.5m with add-ons, arrival from AFC Ajax went down unchallenged grasping his leg. Timber would ultimately require ACL surgery.

Timber suffers a setback in the Arsenal star’s injury recovery

Jacobs notes that Arsenal had viewed the start of April as a best-case scenario for Timber to return to fitness. But it is now highly unlikely that Arteta can call on the 15-cap international again this season. A spot in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 is also now highly doubtful.

Timber has sustained a setback of sorts during his recovery at London Colney that is likely to end his season. Arsenal no longer expect to welcome the defender back into the fold before next summer. He will then have to work throughout pre-season to get into match condition.

Arsenal refuse to rush Timber’s return to Emirates Stadium duty

Reports by AD earlier this week had initially raised fears that Timber will miss Euro 2024 due to the Arsenal gem’s injury. It also noted that the Gunners have pushed back any theoretical timeline for his return. Emirates Stadium chiefs absolutely refuse to rush Timber’s recovery.

But losing Timber for his entire debut season in north London may force Arteta to dip his toe in the January sales. The Mirror has also reported that Arsenal could strive to sign a stand-in for Timber in the winter window, with Cedric Soares unwanted in north London this season.

Arteta would have awarded Timber a key role in his plans without the Utrecht native’s injury woes. The Ajax product immediately impressed in pre-season as he slotted in as a left and a right-back. Arteta said in July that Timber was ‘going to be a really important player’ for him.