Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber faces an extended period on the sidelines as he recuperates from a cruciate ligament rupture suffered at the commencement of the current season.
This setback not only impacts Timber’s availability for Arsenal but also has implications for his potential inclusion in the Netherlands national team’s squad for the upcoming Euros.
The latest information, sourced from Algemeen Dagblad via Sport Witness, reveals that Timber’s recovery timeline extends until the preseason next year. The Netherlands national team, led by Ronald Koeman, is closely monitoring Timber’s rehabilitation with the aspiration of including him in the squad for the Euros, set to take place in Germany next summer.
Timber, who made the switch to Arsenal from Ajax, endured an unfortunate cruciate ligament rupture in his debut game for the club, putting his season participation in doubt.
Despite the setback, the Dutch national team, preparing for the Euros, is contemplating up to 40 players for potential selection. Timber’s name remains on this list, albeit with slim chances of making the final cut.
Having been a regular member of the Dutch squad with 15 appearances since his debut in June 2021 at the age of 19, Timber was considered a certainty for the national side before his injury.
Arsenal is expected to assess Timber’s situation in the coming year, with the prevailing expectation that he might only be fit to join preseason training.
His name is tentatively included in spot 40 of the potential selection, with the understanding that players in this category have limited chances of making the final squad.
The ‘realistic scenario,’ as suggested by AD, is that Arsenal will decide on Timber’s future next year, with the likelihood that he may only be permitted to join preseason training at best. While the situation appears challenging, there remains a glimmer of hope within the national team setup that Timber could be available before the expected timeline.
Although the decision regarding the final squad is pending, Koeman and his team have Timber on their list, albeit in pencil rather than pen, indicating a cautious approach given the uncertainties surrounding his recovery. The coming months will be crucial in determining Timber’s fitness and potential inclusion in both Arsenal’s plans and the Netherlands national team’s Euros squad.
