Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has temporarily returned to London from the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain as part of his ongoing rehabilitation from a groin injury.
The Netherlands international traveled back to England for a scheduled phase of his recovery. Club sources confirmed that the move is part of the rehabilitation plan and is not linked to any setback.
According to a report by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Timber is expected to return to Spain and rejoin Mikel Arteta’s squad after completing the planned recovery programme.
The 24-year-old has been managing a groin injury that kept him out of recent action. The issue surfaced after he recovered from an ankle injury sustained toward the end of last season.
Although Timber returned in time to feature in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the groin problem later forced him to withdraw from international duty with the Netherlands.
The defender enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, making 30 Premier League appearances as Arsenal won the league title. His performances also established him as the club’s first-choice right-back.
Timber has already overcome a major injury challenge since joining Arsenal from Ajax in July 2023 for an initial fee of £34 million. He missed most of his debut season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Arsenal will be hoping the defender regains full fitness before the start of the new season. The Gunners are scheduled to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 before opening their Premier League title defence against newly promoted Coventry City on August 21.
