Mikel Arteta provides Jurrien Timber fitness update ahead of North London derby

Timber made the move to the Emirates Stadium from Ajax last summer and was expected to have an important role to play for the Gunners during the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the Netherlands international suffered a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest on August 12, and he has been on the sidelines since.

Timber has now been back in training for a few weeks, and he made his long-awaited return from the ACL injury for Arsenal Under-21s against Blackburn Rovers Under-21s on Monday, scoring a stunning goal in the game.

The 22-year-old now has a chance of being named in the squad for the North London derby.

«We have to make that decision tomorrow after the training session. He's very close, I don't know if this is too early, but he's very close now,» Arteta told reporters during his press conference on Friday.

Timber is currently Arsenal's only injury concern, with the Gunners having a strong squad for their push for the Premier League title in the closing stages of the season.

«It's good headaches though! Yes, you feel for the players a bit as well because of how much they want it and how much everyone wants to start and contribute to the team and impact the team in the right way, so it's always difficult and it's part of the job,» Arteta added.

«As well, they're fully ready to come on the pitch at whatever time we need them to try to help us win the matches. Their spirit is so good.»

Arsenal thumped Chelsea 5-0 in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, and the capital outfit