There could soon be light at the tip of the tunnel for Jurrien Timber because the Arsenal star continues his recovery from a groin injury.
Timber’s last appearance for the Gunners was within the 2-0 victory over Everton in mid-March. What was initially considered a minor issue has ruled him out of the last nine games, disregarded of the squad again for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final draw with Atletico Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side will fancy their probabilities of reaching the ultimate in Budapest next month and currently sit three points clear of Manchester City on the summit of the Premier League with 4 games remaining.
But it surely stays to be seen what, if any, role Timber could have as a draining campaign reaches is conclusion.
Arsenal haven’t disclosed any specific details over his injury with Arteta admitting this week he’s unsure when the 24-year-old shall be available again.
‘We don’t know yet,’ Arteta said. ‘He’s doing a little stuff on the pitch in the mean time. But we want to get the gears up and find a way to do more things before he can compete with us.’
Arsenal have greatly missed Timber’s presence down the correct along with his understanding with Bukayo Saka considered one of Europe’s simplest combos.
Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White have taken turns deputising but Arteta shall be eager to have his first-choice right-back available again.
Stephen Smith, CEO and founding father of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics, explains Timber has likely been coping with a grade 2 groin injury, a problem that may rule a player out for between three and eight weeks depending on its severity.
In that scenario, Timber could possibly be available for the ultimate 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’re beyond the grade one stage,’ Smith told Metro.
‘Grade one stage is frequently only a small variety of fibres which were torn or overstretched. Generally, that’s one to a few weeks. Whether it is a grade 2 then we’re talking a couple of more significant injury, possibly a partial tear of the muscle or the tendon itself.
‘Generally, you’re looking at a 3 to eight week window for that. Whether it is a grade 3, it’s way more significant and closer to a rupture. You then are talking two to a few months.
‘He’s in that three to eight week window at once, which suggests it looks prone to be a grade 2.
‘So there’s potential light there by way of how his rehab is progressing and potential light in seeing him involved soon before the tip of the season.’
Arsenal return to motion at home to Fulham on Saturday evening.
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