Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost with full-back Jurrien Timber making a goalscoring return to action on Monday night.

The defender played 45 minutes of the club’s U21 game against Blackburn Rovers, and made an instant impact by opening the scoring after just eight minutes . The game was his first back for eight months after rupturing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the opening game of the season against Nottingham Forest back in August.

The goal saw Timber cut onto his right foot on the edge of the box before curling his shot past the goalkeeper and into the net. The game ended in a 2-2 draw with Timber playing the first half as he continues to build up his minutes.

The full-back’s involvement in the development squad on Monday will rule him out of the Gunners’ game against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. But it has raised hopes that he could potentially be involved in the North London Derby on Sunday as Arsenal travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the 2pm kick-off.

If that is the case is still to be seen. But having now returned to the field, football.london has taken a look at the latest to see if he may have a chance of making a comeback sooner rather than later.

What Mikel Arteta has said

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta seemed to play down the chance of the defender being available for the North London derby on Monday, when revealing that he would play for the U21s later that day. "That's a quick step," the Spaniard said when asked if he could be involved against Spurs.

"Let's see how he feels today. He has been training really good, he looks ready. He needs that exposure and after that we will assess whether that game comes at the right time or too fast. We will try to get him with us for the final games."

What Timber has said

Speaking after his goal for the U21s, Timber revealed that he has already been getting messages from his teammates. He also spoke about how it felt to be back on the pitch .

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," he said with a smile. "But it felt amazing, it felt like everything we worked for in the eight months out.

"It’s been eight months, you know. To be honest, I still don’t really know how to feel, but just being out there feels amazing. Even now, it feels strange for me as well. It’s amazing, it’s been eight months. I feel happy, feel blessed to be out there and it was nice scoring a goal as well."

He added: "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, we’re still there [in the Premier League]. 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."

When could he next play?

Whatever happens, unless there is a setback in his recovery, then Timber is likely to be in action next Sunday. He will either be involved in the matchday squad for Arsenal’s clash against Tottenham, or could continue to build up his minutes with the U21s as they take on Liverpool on the same day (1pm kick-off).

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