Jurrien Timber injury latest as expert predicts Arsenal star’s possible return date | Football

There could soon be light at the end of the tunnel for Jurrien Timber as the Arsenal star continues his recovery from a groin injury.

Timber’s last appearance for the Gunners was in the 2-0 victory over Everton in mid-March. What was initially thought to be a minor issue has ruled him out of the last nine games, left out of the squad again for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final draw with Atletico Madrid.

Mikel Arteta’s side will fancy their chances of reaching the final in Budapest next month and currently sit three points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League with four games remaining.

But it remains to be seen what, if any, role Timber will have as a draining campaign reaches is conclusion.

Arsenal have not disclosed any specific details over his injury with Arteta admitting this week he is unsure when the 24-year-old will be available again.

 ‘We don’t know yet,’ Arteta said. ‘He is doing some stuff on the pitch at the moment. But we need to get the gears up and be able to do more things before he can compete with us.’

Arsenal have greatly missed Timber’s presence down the right with his understanding with Bukayo Saka one of Europe’s most effective combinations.

Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White have taken turns deputising but Arteta will be desperate to have his first-choice right-back available again.

Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics, explains Timber has likely been dealing with a grade 2 groin injury, an issue that can rule a player out for between three and eight weeks depending on its severity.

In that scenario, Timber could be available for the final weeks of the season where the Gunners will hope to be closing in on the title.

‘Six weeks in [to his rehabilitation period] would mean we are beyond the grade one stage,’ Smith told Metro.

‘Grade one stage is usually just a small number of fibres that have been torn or overstretched. Generally, that is one to three weeks. If it is a grade 2 then we are talking about a more significant injury, maybe a partial tear of the muscle or the tendon itself.

‘Generally, you are looking at a three to eight week window for that. If it is a grade 3, it is much more significant and closer to a rupture. Then you are talking two to three months.

‘He is in that three to eight week window right now, which suggests it looks likely to be a grade 2.

‘So there is potential light there in terms of how his rehab is progressing and potential light in seeing him involved soon before the end of the season.’

Arsenal return to action at home to Fulham on Saturday evening.

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