Arsenal fans received a welcome boost this week with the news that young defender Jurrien Timber has been included in the club’s updated Champions League squad.

This inclusion hints at a possible return from the serious knee injury he sustained on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest last August.

The 22-year-old Dutchman suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee, requiring surgery and sidelining him since the opening game of the season. Despite this setback, reports suggest Arsenal remain optimistic about a March return for Timber, potentially coinciding with the crucial Champions League knockout stages.

Timber’s return would be a major shot in the arm for Arsenal’s title aspirations. Their recent win over Liverpool narrowed the gap to Manchester City at the top to just two points, and a fully fit Timber could bolster their defensive solidity in the crucial run-in. Additionally, his return would be timely for the Champions League knockout stages, where Arsenal face Porto in the last-16.

While Timber’s inclusion brings positive news, Arsenal fans will also be keeping an eye on the recovery progress of other key players like Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, and Fabio Vieira, who are also included in the updated squad list.

While excitement surrounds Timber’s potential return, it’s important to remember that recovering from an ACL injury requires careful management. However, his inclusion in the squad suggests he’s progressing well, and Arsenal fans can be cautiously optimistic about seeing him back on the pitch sooner rather than later.