Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Jurrien Timber, who is nearing a return from a long-term injury.
Timber, 22, suffered an ACL injury during his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest in August, which has kept him out of action for over eight months.
However, the Dutch defender has stepped up his rehabilitation and made his comeback for Arsenal’s U21 side on Monday night.
Arteta has not ruled out the possibility of Timber featuring in this weekend’s North London derby against Tottenham, but he wants to assess the player’s fitness after Monday’s game.
“He’s been training really good, he looks ready. He needs that exposure and after that we will assess whether that game comes in time or too fast,” said Arteta.
“I will try to get him back with us for the final games.”
Arsenal have a crucial run-in, with several key players approaching 50 appearances in all competitions this season.
Arteta insists that fatigue is not a concern for his squad at this stage, saying: “Winning is a big boost of energy so after the performance against Wolves and having to play a London derby tomorrow everybody is ready.”
“The amount and volume of the games is something else but now is not the moment for us to look at that. We have to think in a positive way and feel and think that we are fresh to perform the best possible way.”
