The versatile defender signed from Ajax in the summer for £38million and played just under 150 minutes of football before he was stricken down with injury. Given the extent of the damage, there were fears he would not feature for the remainder of the campaign, with reports in Dutch media suggesting as such, however Timber himself has given a huge update on when he could be back, along with some insight into his recovery.
On Arsenal’s matchday show ‘The Breakdown Live’ from the win over Wolves, where Timber was a guest, he said: “I’m making good progress. It won’t be the whole season [out], I hope, I know it’s going well. It’s hard at the same time, but I’m doing my best, working hard, and just enjoying being busy.”
On the comradery in the group, he added: “It makes it easier, I see them every day on the training ground. I basically train the same time as them, it makes it easier. The boys are fun, it’s a young squad, and even the older guys are fun so I stay connected with them and I see them every day. For me that makes it so much easier to do my rehab well.”
Arteta was also asked for the latest on Timber and his recovery prior to the Champions League clash against RC Lens with his update a promising one. "Well I hope so [be back on the grass soon]," he said during a press conference in November. "He’s been for a few walks out on the field.
He’s still a bit far from competing but he’s in a good place."Injury issues at full-back have been frequent for Arsenal and Arteta this season with Takehiro Tomiyasu subbed off against Wolves after pulling up holding his calf. With a quick turnaround before the Gunners face Luton Town, his availability is in doubt although Arteta's immediate update offered some optimism.
"He felt something. I don’t know if it was fatigue," the Arsenal boss said after the game. "We decided to change straight away and we didn’t want to take any risks. Let’s assess him and see how he is."
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