Jurrien Timber is aiming to mark his return to Arsenal’s lineup against Bournemouth on Saturday, after being sidelined due to a knee injury since the start of the season.
The former Ajax star has featured twice for
Arsenal’s Under-21s last week, getting closer to full fitness.
Timber, who was acquired for £38.5 million last summer, played 45 minutes at Blackburn on Monday and followed it up with a 70-minute appearance against Liverpool on Sunday.
He is now hoping to make his first-team return and will be assessed this week ahead of the visit of Bournemouth this weekend.
Timber has recovered well from his knee injury and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said he was “close” to making the squad for Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham.
His return would be a major boost for Arsenal as they prepare for their final three games of the season.
Read Also: Tottenham vs Arsenal 2-3 Highlights | Premier League
Timber can play anywhere across the back four and Arteta believes his attacking qualities can give his side a different dimension.
“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,” Arteta said this month.
Timber was signed predominantly to provide competition for Ben White at right-back, but he now looks set to play on the opposite flank.
The 22-year-old played both games for the U21s last week at left-back, scoring a brilliant goal after eight minutes against Blackburn.
Arsenal have struggled at left-back all season, with Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu all getting runs in the team there.
Timber admitted last week he is itching to get back so he can help Arsenal get over the line in the title race.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “The boys have been texting me already, so it’s going to be fun.
“I think we’re doing really well. The last couple of weeks have been tough, obviously out of the Champions League, but we’re still in the mix [in the title race], we’re still there.
“I’m glad that I can be a part of it and let’s see what the last couple of weeks can bring. I hope something beautiful.”
Arsenal will pull out all the stops to defeat Bournemouth and maintain pressure on Manchester City in the title race.
