The one Arsenal player who really won’t be happy after latest Jurrien Timber update

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It has now emerged that injured Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is progressing well in his recovery, and could return before the end of the season.

Timber was dealt a desperately unlucky blow as he injured his anterior cruciate ligament on his Premier League debut, after delivering an outstanding performance in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

Some expected Timber to be out for the entire season, following his summer move from Ajax, but a positive update emerged in recent days.

Jurrien Timber could return for Arsenal this season

Timber is now set to return to training in the coming months, and could even feature later on this season as Arsenal look to compete for the Premier League and Champions League.

This is excellent news for Arsenal, who are lacking in depth at the back, and given the quality Timber showed in pre-season, fans are desperate to see him return to the pitch after a long absence.

Timber is capable of playing across the back line, and with Ben White struggling with an injury in recent months, he may be happy to see extra cover become available. However, whilst the Englishman will still likely be a near-guaranteed starter, the same cannot be said of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Will Zinchenko’s place be under threat when Timber returns?

Timber started the season at left-back whilst Zinchenko was absent with injury, and the Ukrainian has struggled for form at times in recent months.

Although he offers a lot on the ball in his inverted role, the 26-year-old has been criticised for his defensive ability, and has been at fault for several goals this season.

Whilst home games against lower-half opposition such as Crystal Palace has seen Zinchenko perform at his best, both Takehiro Tomiyasu or Timber could be selected ahead of him for big games, or against opponents with speedy wingers.

Zinchenko has been starting as a default despite his form simply as a result of a lack of other options, but when Timber returns, it seems likely that he will be the one sweating over his starting spot.

Timber’s combination of intelligence and physical excellence is why Arsenal chose to bring him in this summer, and in such a short space of time, he appeared to be someone who had settled instantly and fitted Mikel Arteta’s system like a glove.

Losing him was a massive blow for Arteta’s tactical plans, but when he does eventually return, he will be a huge addition to the squad.