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**Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to give an exact timescale for when Jurrien Timber will be back to full fitness.**
When asked about a potential return date following the defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup at the weekend, Arteta replied:
“No, I cannot be very precise with that. Jurrien is progressing really well. He’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but it’s still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much.”
Timber was in attendance for the game on Sunday, and he has been seen training on the grass in recent days, but it appears as if there is still some way to go before he can take part in full team training.
The right-back had minor surgery on a groin injury that has been troubling him since the win over Everton back in March.
Timber was forced to miss the World Cup, having played just one match – the Champions League final – over the past five months.
**Expected Return Date – September**
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William Saliba
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Arteta has also provided an update on the centre-back’s rehabilitation. The Spaniard said that the player’s recovery is expected to be slow despite surgery not being needed on his back:
“Wily is in rest mode at the moment. For two weeks, he had to do almost nothing, don’t aggravate the injury. It’s going to take some time to heal; we know that. As quick as we have more news, we can inform.”
In terms of when [**Saliba**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-transfer-news-fan-poll-ezri-konsa/) could be back to full fitness, the club have not given a precise date, having officially said that the defender will be out for an “extended period.”
However, other sources have suggested that the 25-year-old will be on the treatment table for up to four months, so he won’t be in contention to feature for the first team anytime soon.
**Expected Return Date – November/December**