Arsenal supporters have been warned not to get carried away by footage of Jurrien Timber’s return to training during the club’s winter training break in Dubai.
The 22-year-old joined Arsenal in the summer for £38m from Ajax. After an impressive pre-season, Arsenal fans were hopeful that Timber would be a vital player in their challenge for the Premier League title.
However, the Netherlands international suffered an ACL injury on the opening day of the season and has been unavailable since August.
Arsenal are currently away in Dubai on a first-team training camp where Timber has begun ball work training away from the rest of the team.
The footage of the player’s impressive rehab work raised hopes of a return to first team action faster than expected, but those hopes were quickly quashed.
“It is so good to see Jurrien back on the pitch, but he’s still got a long way to go,” an Arsenal spokesman cautioned.
Midfielder Thomas Partey is another long-term absentee for Arsenal, who could be back in action early this year, but still has no imminent date for a return having not played since October.
Fellow midfielder Fabio Vieira is another potential first-team starter who remains unavailable but has also been active at the Dubai camp.
Striker Gabriel Jesus (knee) is also awaiting a public return target with his latest injury setback.
Arsenal resume Premier League action on 20 January when they host London rivals Crystal Palace.
Injury issues aside, which include versatile left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, manager Mikel Arteta will still be without utility defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who is away with Japan at the Asian Cup. Egypt international Mo Elneny is representing his national side, at AFCON.
