Arsenal summer signing Jurrien Timber has been injured since the opening day of the season, but could be set to return soon.
Timber arrived from Ajax for around £34m, and looked an instant hit as he impressed in pre-season and the Community Shield, but disaster then struck as he injured a cruciate ligament against Nottingham Forest on his Premier League debut.
Arsenal will travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to face Manchester City in what will be a significant game in the Premier League title race, and Mikel Arteta may be handed a welcome boost as Timber might be fit to return.
The Dutchman has been in training for the last few weeks, and could be set to return to the squad ahead of a tough run-in.
Jurrien Timber set to return imminently for Arsenal
Speaking to ShotsTV, journalist Chris Wheatley revealed that there is a chance Timber can make the matchday squad for the game at the Etihad.
“He’s very close. He’s hoping to be involved in one of the upcoming games. He could be named in the squad for Man City, it’s always a possibility,” he stated.
“He wasn’t involved in the behind closed doors friendly against QPR over the international break, that only included Thomas Partey & Takehiro Tomiyasu.”
Jurrien Timber should not play against Manchester City
As eager as Arsenal fans are to see Timber return to the squad, the defender should not be risked in any capacity against Man City.
In what will be a high-pressure, and intense game, the last thing Arsenal need is for an unfit player to return after a long-term injury, even off the bench, and be thrown straight into the action.
Timber will have to be eased back in during the remainder of the season, and given how long it can take to recover, both physically and mentally, from a cruciate ligament injury, it seems unlikely that he will be risked away from home in big games, or be allowed to start a match any time soon.
The returns of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey are welcome ones ahead of the City clash, but even if Timber is named on the bench, it would be a huge shock to see him feature.