The defender has not played since the first game of the season (Picture: Getty)
Jurrien Timber is in line to make his long-awaited return to the Arsenal squad when the Gunners take on Bournemouth in the Premier League this Saturday.
The 22-year-old has not played since the opening match of the season when he tore his ACL against Nottingham Forest.
He has been stepping up his recovery in recent weeks, though, and has made two appearances for the Under-21 side – notably scoring a brilliant goal against Blackburn Rovers.
Mikel Arteta revealed he was ‘very close’ to making the squad ahead of the north London derby, though in the end Timber was forced to watch from the stands.
But now The Evening Standard are reporting that Timber’s wait to make his Premier League return may finally be over, with the former Ajax man confident of being involved this weekend.
He played 45 minutes against Blackburn’s Under-21s last week and then 70 minutes against Liverpool’s development team on Sunday.
Timber has also come through team training – which is played at a very high intensity – unscathed and Arsenal’s medical team are ready to declare him fit to face Bournemouth.
Timber in action for Arsenal’s Under-21 team (Picture: Getty)
Although Arsenal have the most formidable defence in the division, Timber’s return will be a huge boost with Arteta having frequently spoken of the offensive qualities the Dutchman can bring to the side.
‘Jurrien is a main one because he has a quality that nobody else has in the backline to actually effect, especially in the attacking phases, things that we do, in both positions or three positions,’ explained Arteta.
The player himself, meanwhile, is keen to play a role in Arsenal’s run-in after missing so much of the season through injury.
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‘I can’t wait, the season is almost finished, we’ve got a few more games left and I hope to be a part of the team for the final few matches,’ Timber told the club’s website.
‘The last couple of weeks have been tough, but, we are still in the mix and have every chance to win it. I’m glad that I can finally be part of it. Let’s see what the next couple of weeks bring, I hope it’s something beautiful.’
Arsenal take on an in-form Bournemouth side in Saturday’s early kick-off and can take a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table before Manchester City host Wolves in the day’s evening kick-off.
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