Jurrien Timber’s recovery is progressing well, but the Arsenal right-back still isn’t expected back on the pitch for a while yet, according to a report.

There have been some pretty outlandish claims about Jurrien Timber’s recovery in recent weeks, with one tweet gaining some traction after it claimed the right-back’s planned return was against Crystal Palace on January 20th.

Another more reasonable claim was that Timber was targeting Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 tie against FC Porto in February, but even that seems optimistic.

After all, Timber only suffered his ACL tear in August, so a February comeback would mean a total absence of just six months. Not impossible, but really the bare minimum you’d expect for such an injury.

The Athletic report that Timber’s recovery is progressing well, but he’s not expected to be back for “some time yet”. There are now less than two months until the first leg against Porto.

At the very least, it’s clear that Timber isn’t expected back imminently. Those claims of a January comeback on the pitch was always outlandish, but they’re now seemingly being ruled out.

It’s obviously a shame to have lost such a significant signing so early on in his Arsenal career. But these things happen, and there’s no point getting excited about a comeback too early. Timber will need time, and he should get it.

To have the defender back in any serious capacity at all this season would be a blessing for the squad, and with any luck we may well see that play out. Let’s just keep our expectations in check.