Overview
- Timber said on Monday that he is not yet fully match fit and must be "very smart" about his comeback to avoid a setback.
- His recent game time has been limited, with a substitute appearance against Sunderland, 59 minutes against Brighton, a 77-minute start for the Netherlands and an unused role against Serbia.
- Arsenal and the Dutch medical staff have coordinated Timber’s training during the international break, placing him on a tailored programme in Zeist and tracking his workload closely.
- Club staff and commentators are urging continued caution because the groin problem is recurring and Arsenal prefer long‑term availability over rushing him back for a single match.
- Timber missed nearly the final three months of last season, withdrew from the 2026 World Cup and had minor groin surgery over the summer, which helps explain the staged, minutes‑based reintegration now being used to protect his season.