Arsenal: Jurrien Timber aims for run-in role after first-team training return
Jurrien Timber hopes to play a role for Arsenal during the run-in after returning to first-team training.
The defender has been out since August after injuring his knee on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
But Timber took a major step forward in his road to recovery on Wednesday by training with his team-mates for the first time since his injury.
The 22-year-old did not take part in the entirety of the session at Emirates Stadium but joined in with the group after initially doing some individual work.
Timber is still a way away from full fitness but he is hoping to play a role during the run-in.
Arsenal are fighting for both the Champions League and Premier League, with their next game away at Sheffield United on Monday.
Thomas Partey has been able to take part in training since last week and is expected to be back for the trip to Bramall Lane.
The Arsenal squad trained at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday but were due to be back working at their usual base in London Colney on Thursday.
Gabriel Jesus, who was an unused substitute for Saturday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle, is in training. The Brazilian has been troubled by a knee problem since the end of last month.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both out with calf injuries.
Of the two, Zinchenko is understood to be closer to a comeback and he is pushing hard to make the squad for the Sheffield United game. But Arsenal will not rush the Ukrainian back as manager Mikel Arteta wants to have a fully fit squad for the final part of the season.
In Zinchenko’s absence, Jakub Kiwior has impressed after being tasked with filling in at left-back.