Arsenal have been handed a huge injury boost that could impact both the Premier League title race and Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta's side are currently top of the Premier League table with 10 games remaining, level on points with Liverpool and one ahead of reigning champions Man City.
Arsenal have still got to play Pep Guardiola's side before the end of the season, a match that could end up deciding the title race.
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That clash has been set for Sunday March 31, and with a bit of luck, Arsenal could receive a significant boost for that game and the rest of the title run-in.
Jurrien Timber impressed club staff during pre-season after joining Arsenal from Ajax, but he tragically suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his first Premier League outing back in August.
The Dutch defender has been out of action since then, but he has made excellent progress in his recovery and is nearing a return.
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According to Football.London, in recent weeks Timber has started to get involved with group training again.
While the 22-year-old has sat out sessions that could place stress on his knee, he has fully participated in others.
Even when he couldn't train, Arteta kept Timber close to his new teammates by involving him in team meetings and having him in the dressing room before and after home games.
Timber is now ramping up the final stages of his recovery, and he has a chance of being involved against City at the Etihad Stadium after the international break.
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Arsenal are understandably wary of rushing Timber back, but if he continues to make progress at the current rate then he could provide Arteta with a key boost for the final months of the season, both in the Premier League and Champions League.
Topics: Arsenal, Injury, Premier League, Champions League, Jurrien Timber, Manchester City