Arsenal starter returns to training after 2-game international absence

Arsenal starter returns to training after 2-game international absence
Arsenal starter returns to training after 2-game international absence

Jurrien Timber has returned to training with Arsenal after his illness over the international break, suggesting he’s in line for inclusion in next Tuesday’s squad to face Fulham.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United FC at Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

Jurrien Timber was involved in training with Arsenal on Friday, with pictures showing his inclusion in both the indoors and outdoors segments of the session.

That’s a boost for Arsenal fans, after the player was unable to feature in either of the Netherlands’ games over the international break.

Timber was called up to face Spain in the two-legged Nations League quarter-finals over the last week and a half, but he missed the first game through illness and then pulled out of the break before the second match.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 04: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC at PSV Stadion on March 04, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Given the two matches were in such close proximity to each other, taking place on Thursday and Sunday, it was unclear whether Timber’s illness was really serious or whether the second game just came too soon to allow him time to recover.

Fortunately, Timber’s return to training appears to imply the latter. With the player now having a full week to get over his illness, there’s no reason to think he can’t be involved against Fulham on Tuesday.

One player who won’t be is Riccardo Calafiori, with the player absent from training after picking up an injury with Italy over the break.

psv eindhoven v arsenal fc uefa champions league 2024 25 round of 16 first leg 11 1
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Calafiori has a knee problem, and the expectation was that he’d be unavailable for two or three weeks. The upside is that we’re already one week into that timeframe, so it’s still not impossible he ...

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