Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber is set for an extended spell on the sidelines due to a cruciate ligament rupture suffered at the start of the current season. This injury not only affects Timber’s availability for Arsenal but also raises concerns about his potential inclusion in the Netherlands national team for the upcoming Euros.
According to the latest information from Algemeen Dagblad via Sport Witness, Timber’s recovery timeline stretches until the preseason of the following year. The Netherlands national team, under the leadership of Ronald Koeman, is closely monitoring Timber’s rehabilitation with the hope of including him in the squad for the Euros, scheduled to take place in Germany next summer.
Timber, who made the switch from Ajax to Arsenal, faced the unfortunate setback of a cruciate ligament rupture in his debut game for the club, casting doubt on his participation in the current season.
Despite this setback, the Dutch national team, preparing for the Euros, is considering 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 once considered a certainty for the national side before his injury.
Arsenal is expected to evaluate Timber’s situation in the upcoming year, with the prevailing expectation that he might only be fit for preseason training.
His name tentatively occupies spot 40 in 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 make a decision on Timber’s future next year, with the likelihood that he may only be allowed to join preseason training at best. Although the situation appears challenging, there remains a glimmer of hope within the national team setup that Timber could be available before the expected timeline.
While 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.
