Jurrien Timber Arsenal injury latest as Mikel Arteta hints at return date

Jurrien Timber continued his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury by playing 71 minutes in Arsenal under-21s' 2-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who made the move to the Emirates Stadium from Ajax last summer in a deal worth an initial £34m, has not featured for the Gunners since the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, in which he suffered damage to his ACL.

However, the last month has seen the Dutch international make huge strides in his bid to return to full fitness before the end of the season, with a handful of appearances for Arsenal's youth side.

Now, after spending nearly nine months on the sidelines, Timber could be ready to make his first-team return for Arsenal in this weekend's Premier League clash against Bournemouth.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's North London Derby,Mikel Arteta admitted there was a chance Timber could be part of the Gunner's 20-man match day squad.

“We have to make that decision [Saturday] after the training session,” said the Gunners boss. “He’s very close, I don’t know if this is too early, but he’s very close now.”

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After Saturday's game against the Cherries, Arsenal have just two fixtures left of this season's Premier League campaign, with a trip to Manchester United on May 12 before Everton visit North London seven days later.

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