Arsenal handed boost as key player returns to training ahead of PL season opener against Wolves
Jurrien Timber has reported for training ahead of Arsenal's Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (August 17). The Dutch defender has encountered an injury nightmare since arriving at the Emirates last summer.
Mikel Arteta confirmed Timber was on course to recover from an ongoing foot problem with the Gunners' encounter with Wolves on the horizon. He said (via The Standard):
"It’s fine, he’s been doing some individual work, that’s clear now. So, we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week, because he has no reaction. So quite positive."
Timber, 23, missed the end of pre-season with a foot injury, another setback in a frustrating spell at Arsenal thus far. He missed all but one game of the 2023-24 campaign with an ACL injury.
The Netherlands international was back in training on Wednesday as he eyes participating in the Wolves clash. Arteta's men will be looking to react after missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City for a second consecutive season.
Timber joined Arsenal from Ajax in a reported £38 million deal. He is predominantly a center-back but can also play as a right-back, and in a holding midfield role.
Jaap Stam backed Jurrien Timber to become an 'exceptional player' at Arsenal
Dutch legend Jaap Stam gave Gunners fans an insight into the type of talent Timber is and what he could contribute to the team. The former Manchester United defender coached him while at Ajax and spoke to charleswatts.football last summer following the transfer:
"He’s a very good player. In Holland he’s been doing very well... He’s very comfortable on the ball and he can create that extra man in midfield by carrying the ball forward. He’s very good in his positioning as well, his passing is very accurate and he has good technique. That’s the type of player that we all like in Holland."
The start of Timber's Arsenal career has been disappointing because he's rarely played for Arteta's side. He's appeared three times across competitions and shown glimpses of what he can bring to the team.
Stam suggested it was important Timber played in a team of world-class individuals:
"He’s shown when he plays with better players around him that he can be an exceptional player."
Timber was heralded during his time at Ajax and enjoyed a meteoric rise at the Johan Cruyff Arena. He made 121 appearances for the Eredivisie side, a mainstay in their defense under Erik ten Hag and Alfred Schreuder, winning the Dutch title under the former twice.