Jurrien Timber is closing on a potential return to action for Arsenal after rumours have circulated he is only weeks away from returning to full training. The Netherlands international has been missing since the opening game of the Premier League season when he suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament which required surgery to fix.
With the squad travelling to Dubai in January, Timber was shown training outside with the ball at his feet as he stepped up his rehabilitation. He has also been included in the club’s updated Champions League squad ahead of the return to European football this month.
On X, AFCAMDEN posted that the defender would be expected to join full training in the coming weeks. Mikel Arteta tempered expectations when asked about the 22-year-old in a recent press conference last month.
"There is a possibility but at the moment he is still very, very far from competing," he said when asked if we would see Timber this season on January 19. "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."
Arteta has often been coy when discussing the return details of players and does not like to give full explanations. However, if indeed the rumours are true and Timber will rejoin full training soon it could mean a return in March to action.
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Dr Rajpral Brar, a doctor of physiotherapy, was asked by football.london how long can it take for players to return to action after joining in full training. He stated: "Timeframe is going to depend on how long they’ve been out.
"In Timber’s case, my best guess – if everything goes to plan – would be two weeks or so including full training and bounce matches." Arsenal often provide the chance for returning players to play with the youth sides to help build back match fitness and readiness.
Ange Postecoglou revealed that Rodrigo Bentancur has rejoined Tottenham training on October 20 of last year and the Uruguayan made a cameo from the bench against Crystal Palace only seven days later. Different players will react differently it is important to point out.
ACL recoveries tend to have a seven to nine-month label attached to them and a March return to action would fall at the earlier end of the timeline. It would be a massive boost to have Timber back as Arsenal push to challenge in the Premier League and in the Champions League.