Jurrien Timber plotting imminent Arsenal first-team return after making injury comeback

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is itching to play a role in the title run-in after making his comeback for their Under-21s.

The £38.5million signing has been out since suffering a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the season but he played 45 minutes against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Timber scored a brilliant goal after eight minutes, cutting inside from the left and curling a shot into the top corner, and his return to fitness could be a major boost for Arsenal.

He can play anywhere across the back-four and Mikel Arteta believes his attacking qualities from defence can give his side a different dimension.

Arsenal will have four games left after Tuesday’s match against Chelsea and Timber hopes to be involved in some capacity.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “The boys have been texting me already, so it’s going to be fun.

“I think we’re doing really well. The last couple of weeks have been tough, obviously out of the Champions League, but we’re still in the mix [in the title race], we’re still there.

“I’m glad that I can be a part of it and let’s see what the last couple of weeks can bring. I hope something beautiful.”

Timber impressed during his 45 minutes and his substitution at half-time was pre-planned.

He played at left-back but tucked into midfield like Oleksandr Zinchenko does.

“Even that felt strange,” said Timber when asked about his goal.

“I didn’t realise I was even scoring a goal, because I don’t score a lot, maybe that’s changed since my rehab – let’s see!

“But it felt amazing, it felt like everything we worked for in the eight months out.”