Arsenal handed major boost as injured star could be available for Bournemouth game | OneFootball

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is hoping to be available for selection when they host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, according to the Evening Standard.

The Netherlands international has not featured for Mikel Arteta’s side since the opening day of the season due to an injury but recently returned to action to play two games for the under-21s.

Timber featured in a competitive match for the first time in eight months when Arsenal under-21s took on their Blackburn Rovers counterparts last Monday,

He played in the first-half before featuring for 70 minutes against Liverpool under-21s on Sunday.

The 23-year-old has gained much-needed match fitness and will now hope to taste action for the first team against the Cherries after he has been assessed during the week.

Arsenal are top of the table after 35 games and must win their remaining three matches to have a chance of winning their first title since 2004. Timber’s return is a much-needed boost.

The former Ajax star was signed to provide the same balance Oleksandr Zinchenko provides on the left on the right side of the pitch and was seen as the right-sided equivalent of the Ukrainian.

Timber is capable of often cutting inside from his position and playing as an inverted right-back.

However, Ben White has established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back and will likely retain the spot next term.

Timber must challenge Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the left-back spot if he wants a place in the Gunners’ starting XI going forward.