Arsenal Receive Timber Boost As Defender Continues Groin Recovery In London

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has temporarily left the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain to continue his recovery from a groin injury in London.

The move is understood to be part of a planned rehabilitation programme rather than a response to any setback, with the Gunners confident the Netherlands international will return to the squad once the scheduled work is completed.

According to BBC Sport, Timber, 24, has been managing the groin problem after returning from an ankle injury towards the end of last season. He is expected to rejoin Mikel Arteta’s squad in Spain after completing the next phase of his recovery.

Timber made 30 Premier League appearances last season and played a key role as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back during their title-winning campaign.

The defender has already overcome a serious knee injury since joining Arsenal from Ajax for £34 million in July 2023, having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament shortly after his arrival.

He returned to feature in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain but subsequently withdrew from the Netherlands squad because of the groin issue.

Arsenal are keen to have Timber fully fit ahead of the new campaign, with the Community Shield against Manchester City scheduled for August 16 before their Premier League title defence begins away to Coventry City on August 21.

The club will continue to monitor his progress as he works towards returning to full training.