Arsenal is targeting their Champions League last 16 second-leg match against FC Porto on March 12 as the potential return date for Jurrien Timber following his ACL ιnjury. The 22-year-old defender has been sidelined since the opening day of the Premier League season last August when he sustained the ιnjury during a match against Nottingham Forest.

Since Timber’s ιnjury, Arsenal has had to rely on Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior as backup options at left-back, with mixed performances from Oleksandr Zinchenko. Timber’s versatility and defensive abilities were seen as valuable additions to Mikel Arteta’s squad when he joined from AFC Ajax in July.

While Timber’s presence during Arsenal’s winter break in Dubai offered some hope of an earlier return, it is now reported that March is the earliest realistic timeframe for his comeback. The second leg against Porto at Emirates Stadium has been earmarked as a potential milestone for his return, with the first leg set to take place at Estadio do Dragao on February 21.

Fans and the team will eagerly await Timber’s return, as Arsenal looks to strengthen their defensive options and regain stability at the back for the latter stages of the season.