Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is supposedly optimistic that he will make his long-awaited first-team comeback in Saturday's Premier League lunchtime kickoff with Bournemouth.
The Netherlands international won the Community Shield on his first senior appearance for the club since his arrival from Ajax, but he has now spent over eight months on the treatment table with the ACL injury he sustained on his Premier League debut.
Timber's recovery went according to plan, though, and after training with the first team for a number of weeks, he was given the green light to return to competitive action with the Under-21s earlier this month.
The 22-year-old's first game back in an Arsenal jersey saw him score a stunning goal in a 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League 2 on April 22, completing 45 minutes of the contest at left-back.
Timber was not risked for the weekend's North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur, though, instead playing another 70 minutes for the youth team in a 2-0 triumph over Liverpool.
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Timber to be assessed ahead of Bournemouth showdown
Having come through those two Under-21s matches unscathed, the Evening Standard reports that Timber is eyeing a first-team return in this weekend's showdown with the Cherries at the Emirates.
After Mikel Arteta admitted that the Dutchman was close to being part of the senior squad for the North London derby, the Spaniard's coaching staff will carefully assess Timber to determine his availability for the weekend.
Should Timber be given the thumbs-up to make the senior squad on May 4, Arsenal are set to be working with a fully-fit contingent against Bournemouth as they endeavour to keep Manchester City at bay for the time being.
Thanks to their thrilling 3-2 success over Tottenham, the Gunners still hold a one-point advantage over the reigning champions in first place, which will temporarily increase to four should they get the better of Andoni Iraola's side.
However, City - who take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening - have played one game fewer, so the destiny of the top-flight title remains in their hands.
How big a boost is Timber's return?
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While Gooners praying for Timber to replicate his sensational Blackburn strike this weekend may be left disappointed, the 22-year-old's expected return would help to solve a selection conundrum that has troubled Arteta throughout the season.
None of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior or Takehiro Tomiyasu have been able to nail down the left-back position as their own in 2023-24, although the versatile latter has impressed in that role when given a chance.
Tomiyasu's perpetual fitness woes have continued to plague him this season, though, while neither Zinchenko nor Kiwior - a centre-back by trade - have achieved the same level of consistency as Ben White on the opposite flank.
It may be too soon for Timber to be considered for weekly Premier League starts, but the 22-year-old's exploits at left-back for the youth team and in his summer appearances against Man City and Nottingham Forest suggests that is where his North London destiny lies.
Amid talk of Arsenal potentially targeting a new left-back in the summer transfer window, the Gunners need not waste their resources if Timber can stay fit and - more importantly - prove his worth to Arteta between now and the end of the season.
Ben Knapton
