Mikel Arteta has backed a player to make a “big impact” on the Arsenal squad as he nears a return from injury.
The Gunners have been largely fortunate in terms of injuries this campaign, with the majority of their key players available throughout this season, helping them launch a Premier League title race.
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Despite this, Jurrien Timber has been a notable absence from the team sheets this season, after the summer signing suffered an ACL injury during Arsenal’s opening day victory over Nottingham Forest.
But manager Arteta announced the Dutch defender, who joined Ajax before this season in a £40million deal, was close to returning to the pitch.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s next league match against Aston Villa, the Spaniard provided an update on Timber’s progress: “He still has a few steps to go. He needs to play at least one game with the Under-23s years old. He’s going to have an internal game soon too.
“He’s done everything in training, now it’s about being fit for the match, having people around and starting to take part in matches, which is different from training.
Although it remains unclear whether the Dutchman will return in time to help his team in their quest for Premier League and Champions League glory, the news will certainly be welcomed by his supporters.
Much was promised when the highly-rated player first arrived at the Emirates, and Arteta has revealed that supporters can expect Timber to be a key figure in his team when he returns to the pitch.
When asked what the 22-year-old would bring to the team, the 42-year-old replied during his press conference: “I hope so.
“For everything we see in training and the time he has been fit, I think he is going to have a very big impact on the team.”
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The two-time Eredivisie winner has already impressed his new team, as he put in an impressive performance in the Community Shield final against Manchester City, which saw the Gunners win on penalties after being held at 1- 1 after 90 minutes.
While Timber’s performance in the season’s curtain-raiser was ultimately his last before the ill-fated meeting with Forest, his manager’s words since his injury are further proof that Arsenal have high hopes for his time at the club.
Speaking in August on the plight of the young talent, Arteta said: “We signed him with clear intentions, (now) we have to adapt.”
And earlier this month, the Arsenal coach was full of praise for the versatile defender: “Jurrien has a quality that no one else in defense has to achieve, especially in the offensive phases, things we do, at two or three positions.”
Given his confidence in Timber’s abilities, Arteta will no doubt hope that the Netherlands international returns to the starting lineup before the end of this campaign.
The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League, leading Liverpool on goal difference in a thrilling three-way title race, as well as on course for a first-ever Champions League crown.
And the reintroduction of the Timber could prove to be a secret weapon as the season reaches a decisive stage.
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