Jurrien Timber has temporarily left Arsenal’s pre-season training camp in Spain as the club continue to carefully manage the defender’s recovery from a persistent groin problem.
According to the BBC, the Netherlands international has returned to London for a scheduled medical assessment as part of his rehabilitation programme and has not suffered a fresh injury setback.
The update will nevertheless be monitored closely by Arsenal supporters with the new season now just weeks away.
Timber missed much of the closing stages of last season after aggravating the groin issue, limiting his involvement during the run-in despite playing a key role in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign.
The 25-year-old was fit enough to make a substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, but the injury prevented him from representing the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.
Arsenal’s medical staff have adopted a cautious approach throughout the summer in an effort to ensure the defender is fully recovered before competitive action resumes.
Timber has already endured one lengthy spell on the sidelines since arriving from Ajax in 2023 after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut.
His successful return last season was one of Arsenal’s biggest boosts, with the versatile defender featuring in 30 league matches as Mikel Arteta’s side ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
His ability to play at both full-back and centre-back has made him one of the most valuable members of Arteta’s squad.
The timing of his latest assessment comes as Arsenal continue to manage several fitness concerns ahead of the new campaign.
William Saliba remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from a chronic back injury, while Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are all expected to miss the opening weeks of the season after their extended involvement at the World Cup.
Those absences have placed even greater importance on carefully managing players returning from injury.
Arsenal deliberately opted against an extensive overseas tour this summer after 15 first-team players featured at the World Cup and the squad completed a demanding 63-match campaign last season.
The Gunners will begin their pre-season fixture schedule against Girona before facing Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como.
Arteta will hope Timber can rejoin the squad sooner rather than later, with Arsenal opening the new campaign against Manchester City in the Community Shield before beginning the defence of their Premier League crown at home to newly promoted Coventry City five days later.