‘Good progress’… Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber shares latest update on when he’ll return from injury

Add as preferred source on Google

Although Arsenal are now faring very well under Mikel Arteta this season, they are still missing key players due to injury.

Both Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey have been missing for much of the season, two starters for Arsenal when they are fit.

And thankfully, Timber has now delivered a promising update on his knee issue, one that won’t keep him out for the whole season.

Timber was speaking on ‘The Breakdown’ ahead of Arsenal’s meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers on the weekend.

And speaking to Adrian Clarke, the defender was satisfied with how things were progressing.

Timber said: “I’m making good progress. It won’t be the whole season [out], I hope, I know it’s going well. 

“It’s hard at the same time, but I’m doing my best, working hard, and just enjoying being busy.”

Of course, it shouldn’t be understated just how much Arsenal do miss the Dutch international.

It seems odd to make that statement given he’s only played one half of competitive football for The Gunners.

But those who watched Arsenal in pre-season will agree. 

Jurrien Timber is confident of returning from injury before Arsenal’s season is over

Although things are going well, the same questions are being asked of Oleksandr Zinchenko’s defending at Arsenal this season.

The Ukrainian’s ability in possession is needed, especially when facing a low block, but it does often come at a cost.

Arsenal were cruising against Wolves on Saturday, yet Zinchenko suffered a few lapses in concentration.

And given how he was used in pre-season, it seemed that Arteta envisioned £40m Timber as the fix.

A defender who possessed a rare ability to both invert into midfield, whilst remaining a resolute member of the back line.

It would seem that Pep Guardiola has almost given up on the idea of inverting a traditional full-back, perhaps because of the defensive issues it creates.

Instead, Pep now uses centre-backs in the mould.

And with Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta truly had the best of both worlds, a player who will be a welcome boost for Arsenal when he returns from injury.

Who knows what kind of position the club will be in when that’s the case, a title challenge could be reaching its climax at the time.

And in order to fund that push, it seems Arsenal may be prepared to sell one forward in January.