Jurrien Timber is back working on the pitch for Arsenal but remains weeks from a return, leaving Mikel Arteta short in defence.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that, despite Jurrien Timber stepping up his work on the pitch, the defender is still several weeks away from a return.
The Netherlands international sat out of Arsenal’s 3-2 pre-season defeat to Borussia Dortmund and will also be absent when the Gunners round off their friendly schedule against Como on Wednesday.
His absence looks set to stretch well into the build-up to the new season. Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16, then kick off their Premier League title defence at home to Coventry City five days later. With Timber still described as weeks away, a quick return is off the table.
Asked for an update on both Timber and William Saliba after the Dortmund defeat, Arteta said in his post-match press conference:
“Jurrien is progressing really well. He's on the pitch. He's doing quite a lot right now, but still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much.”
Timber’s current spell on the sidelines dates back to the groin problem that disrupted the closing stages of the Gunners' title-winning campaign.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury against Everton on March 14 and missed much of the run-in as Arsenal battled through the final stages of the Premier League and Champions League. He eventually returned in time for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain after Arteta declared him fit on the eve of the game.
Any hope that his return in Budapest had drawn a line under the injury faded before the World Cup arrived.
Timber was initially included in the Netherlands squad but was withdrawn in June after failing to make sufficient progress with his recovery. The Dutch FA determined that taking him to the tournament would not be medically responsible, leaving him at Arsenal during the summer rather than travelling with the national team.
He’s now far enough along to resume work on the pitch, but Arteta’s latest update makes it clear Arsenal are not yet planning for his return to action ahead of the start of the Premier League season.
It leaves the champions with an early headache at the back.
Saliba is also unavailable after suffering a back injury during France’s World Cup campaign. Arsenal confirmed earlier this summer that the centre-back required rehabilitation, and Arteta said after the Dortmund game that the Frenchman had initially been placed in almost complete rest to avoid aggravating the problem.
Asked how Arsenal would navigate Saliba’s absence during the opening weeks, Arteta also pointed to Timber when discussing the defensive players currently missing.
“Yeah, we have experienced that in the past, unfortunately. And when he's been available, I mean, his hit form and the stats that are incredible. So, we know that we lost a massive player, the same with Jurrien, some others that obviously seven or eight players that they weren't here today with us.”
Cristhian Mosquera has consequently taken on greater responsibility during pre-season, while Ben White looks set to start the season at right-back.
There’s still time before the Premier League gets underway, but Arsenal are in no mood to rush Timber back.
Getting back on the grass is a step forward, but as Arteta made clear, there’s still a significant hurdle to clear before Timber is ready for action.