Jurrien Timber injury: Progress and potential return date for Arsenal defender

Jurrien Timber had dreamed of playing for Arsenal since his days in Ajax's academy.

Upon his £38m move to the Premier League runners-up, the Amsterdam side released a video of a young Timber. When asked which club he might move to in the future - which, as an aside, shows the selling mentality of Ajax - Timber answered: "I've always been a fan of Arsenal."

However, the dream lasted less than one hour of Premier League football before Timber hobbled off during Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Here's the latest on Timber's injury status.

What injury does Jurrien Timber have?

Arsenal's lunchtime bout with Forest back in August was postponed by half an hour as issues with a new e-ticketing system created a log jam outside the Emirates Stadium. There was another delay before the half-time interval as Timber clashed with Brennan Johnson.

Timber was judged to have fouled the Forest forward - and collected a yellow card for his indiscretion - but came out of the tangle needing treatment in first-half stoppage time.

After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that during the 15-minute break: "The doctors looked at him and they were happy for him to continue, he was as well."

Yet, within five minutes of the restart, Timber had crumbled in a heap without any contact from another opponent. Arsenal later confirmed fans' worst fears with the news that Timber had damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.

When will Jurrien Timber return from injury?

The 22-year-old had an impeccable injury record prior to his arrival in north London; across his final two seasons for Ajax, Timber missed a combined four matches with nothing more severe than a knock. The longest Timber has ever been sidelined lasted less than a month after he contracted pancreatitis at the end of 2020.

Timber is set for an extended period of time on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on the affected knee. Arsenal did not attach a return date to Timber's recovery an ACL injury - particularly if it is severe enough to require surgery - could rule the Dutch international out for the rest of the season.

However, come February, Arteta revealed the Dutchman could still play again before the 2023/24 season finishes.

Ahead of a clash with Newcastle, the Spaniard said: "I really hope [he will play again this season]. He's doing really well; he's been around some players on the pitch, and we are going to start to do some bits with us in the next week or so. Then we need to see how that evolves."

What Arsenal games has Jurrien Timber missed due to injury?

Timber was involved in Arsenal's pre-season schedule, playing against the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Monaco before appearing in the Community Shield win over Manchester City.

However, this injury has seen him miss 34 Gunners games and counting.

How have Arsenal done without Jurrien Timber and who has replaced him?

Timber was signed partly for his versatility and certainly would have put more pressure on regular right-back Ben White had he been fit and available. Thomas Partey played out wide in the opening fixtures of the season, with White later moved back out wide to accommodate Gabriel Magalhaes' return.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has also featured at right-back when available, though he and Partey have both suffered fitness issues at various points in the campaign.

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