Jurrien Timber Arsenal injury latest and return date ahead of Bournemouth with massive boost

Arsenal have their first full midweek to prepare for a Premier League game in almost two months as they gear up toward taking on Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta heads into the game knowing that his side will once more be able to move four points clear at the top of the table with victory.

That may only be temporary, but it would ramp up the pressure on Manchester City ahead of their meeting with Wolves later on Saturday. Both sides are out of Europe and now have their attention fully turned to the title race.

For the Gunners, they continue to do all they can to make City's life as hard as possible, winning 3-2 over Tottenham in a scrappy North London Derby. The champions responded just hours later with their own victory over Nottingham Forest also lacking total conviction.

Arteta may well have a fully fit side for the clash with Bournemouth now as he looks to push Pep Guardiola to the wire this time round. With the progress made by Jurrien Timber, there is just one decision left to be made.

Arsenal's squad is otherwise raring to go following no setbacks against Spurs. Timber, meanwhile, was in action for the club's Under-21 side in Merseyside.

He made a return to the field last week against Blackburn Rovers, scoring a brilliant goal from left-back just eight minutes in. Now, having lasted 45 minutes on that occasion, he managed 71 in a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.

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Arteta explained that there was a chance that he could have been involved with the group against Tottenham. “We have to make that decision [Saturday] after the training session,” he said ahead of the derby on Friday. “He’s very close, I don’t know if this is too early, but he’s very close now.”

He will now have the entire week to build up his fitness yet again. Arsenal travel to Old Trafford the week after before finishing the season at home to Everton.