Jurrien Timber to step up injury comeback with Arsenal academy team
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Mikel Arteta says Jurrien Timber will play with Arsenal’s academy team before he will be considered ready for first-team action.
The 22-year-old Dutchman was signed from Ajax last summer, but after an impressive pre-season was injured on the opening day of the Premier League campaign.
Timber was discovered to have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and has been sidelined since.
He has since returned to training, and is now getting closer to making a comeback — but Arteta urged caution.
“He’s still got a few steps to make,” said the Arsenal manager when asked about Timber ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.
“He needs to play a game at least within the Under-21s. He’s going to have an in-house game soon as well. He’s done everything in training.
“Now he’s getting that match fitness and having people around him and starting to compete in a football match, which is different to training.”
Arsenal centre-half Gabriel missed the first part of Friday’s training session doing gym work, but Arteta suggested he could be fit to face Villa.
“We’ve got one more day to prepare the match,” said the Arsenal manager. “We will see tomorrow if everyone is available.”
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