Looking ahead to next season, aside from the new signings Arsenal is likely to make, many Gooners are excited about having a fully fit Jurrien Timber back. Last season, Jurrien Timber missed 45 games due to an ACL injury. He picked up the injury 51 minutes into the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Premier League Match Day 1.
Footballers fear an ACL injury the most, as recovering from it can keep them from doing what they love, playing football, for an extended period of time. In Timber’s case, he was out for 252 days, and while he returned and played for the Arsenal U21s squad, he only returned to the senior team on the final day of the season, appearing in the last 22 minutes of that 2-1 win over Everton.
Yes, he spent some time on the pitch (for the U-21s and the senior squad) without suffering any big setbacks, which should give the Arsenal technical bench the confidence to count on him. Even so, the Gooners, who ahead of next season describe Timber “as fresh as a new signing,” should temper their expectations and be patient with the Dutchman.
An ACL injury can limit a player’s physicality, as seen in Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who has never been the same after suffering the injury. Aside from the physical loss, there is the mental aspect of returning from an ACL injury; players may be afraid of re-injury (known as kinesiophobia) and hence may not be able to play as freely. The positive news is that as the months pass, the risk of reinjury decreases, which some believe will help Timber. Notably, an analysis reveals that after 8 months of rehabilitation from an ACL injury, a player in the next 9 months had a 28% lower risk of reinjury.
Timber will most likely not return to his pre-injury form as early as next season. In fact, I believe he will initially play a peripheral role; the technical bench will manage his minutes, gradually integrating him into the team as he regains his confidence and fitness.
Some worry that Calafiori’s arrival will limit Timber’s playing opportunities, but he must also win his position in this Arsenal team (and while he does that, there needs to be a reliable option).
We hope Timber will be like a new signing, but Arsenal fans must be patient while he regains form. He may experience setbacks, and it could take months to return to his pre-injury levels.
Jack Anderson
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I bet Calafiori will be Arteta’s main LB, in case Timber can’t regain his previous football level
Timber isn’t a LB.
He played LB with Arsenal youngsters
Oh, that makes him a LB. When he has played RB and RCB for Holland and Ajax? Tranfer market also has him as right-footed but playing for the kids majes him a LB. He is a LB. Doesn’t matter where he plays.
He is a RB.
Makes a lot of sense. No need to hurry him
Clearly sensible. Arsenal had to get around absence last season so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for as long as it takes in 2024-25.
As others have said, it will be interesting to see how Calafiori fits into the equation if/when Arsenal sign him. Timber has had no time to show what he can do so let’s hope, should Calafiori sign, that Timber is given a much delayed and proper opportunity.
The signing of Calafiori proves Arteta doesn’t want to rush Timber soon. And when he plays, he’s probably playing RB.
and sub, he may also help DM. He will regain form with more play time
Timber is so multi-talented and flexible. Only MA and others on the training ground know to what full extent and it will be very interesting to see what MA has planned for him.
I don’t blame Mikel for being cagey with Timbers return, but shouldn’t he be able to rely on the medical team and the player himself?!
They are all getting paid a lot of money for their expertise and, if he breaks down again, let’s ask them why and not put it on MA?
Absolutely agree Ken. For example, imo Tomi is a great and oh so important defender for the club but his calf injuries constantly recurring purportedly out of the blue was frustrating to say the least. No one was nailing down the true problem(s) behind the situation. Look at what Santi went through. Partey was never injury prone before arriving from AM. MA is definitely not the only one who should be held accountable in these situations.
Ken there’s lots of material out there,from experts,that support the information contained in this article, backed by years of study. It’s actually the experts who call for caution after ACL injuries because players tend to suffer setbacks after this particular injury. It’s in the best interest of the player and the team to manage his minutes.It’s a good thing we have capable alternatives so no need to rush.
PS Research papers on ACL injuries will answer your question on why these setbacks tend to happen even after players are declared fit.
I agree we’ve no need to rush him back Onyango, but if he breaks down again, what next?
Surely our medical team know exactly what your talking about regarding the studies mentioned?
As a layman, I trust the professionals and, if our medical team are happy to say he’s fit and ready, what option does MA have?
I agree with you. I trust the professionals to know how to manage his reintegration into the team. That said,players have been known to say ‘I feel okay’ even when not 100% ready just so they can play the game they love. For instance,in the last setback Jesus suffered,he asked to play even though he still had some swelling in his knee if I remember correctly. And that led to him missing even more games. It’s a delicate balancing act with these players.
you cannot trust the medical team 100%. sometimes they estimate their assessment especially if a certain position is short of reliable players
Are you saying that our medical team would deliberately put a players career in jeopardy because we were short of reliable players in their position?
It’s not rushed at all, there are some professional rugby players that make it back in 4-6 months.
It’s time to get him up to speed ASAP
Agee, it was nearly a year ago. So get him back.
But if he breaks down again with a recurrence of the same injury Reggie, who would YOU blame?