Timber returns to Arsenal's squad after 102 days for Napoli duel

After 102 days out, the 25‑year‑old defender Jurriën Timber returns to Arsenal’s matchday squad, which departs for Naples on Wednesday for the Champions League duel against Napoli. The return follows a summer injury and a series of groin problems that have kept him out of the squad since March.

Return after injury

Timber has been battling groin problems since March, missing the World Cup with the Dutch national team and undergoing a procedure in the summer that caused him to miss the preparation for the new season. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed via the club’s channels that Timber has been on the pitch for weeks and training with the group: “He has been on the pitch for a few weeks now and is training with us, so he is in good shape.”

National team coach Xavi Hernández sees the return of the Dutch international as an important option for the Netherlands’ defence, as Timber was among the regular internationals before his injury.

Travel and full squad

The 25‑year‑old defender travels to Naples for the Champions League duel with Napoli and can on Wednesday, for the first time since the lost final against Paris Saint-Germain, play minutes again for the Gunners. On the flight are also the youth players Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, while William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera are not present.

The Champions League uses a 23‑player matchday squad, unlike the Premier League standard of 20, creating extra bench spots that are often filled by youth players.

The full travel party consists of goalkeepers David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Illan Meslier; defenders Jurriën Timber, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Marli Salmon; midfielders Myles Lewis‑Skelly, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, Martin Ødegaard and Max Dowman; and forwards Christos Tzolis, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres.

Timber’s return not only strengthens Arsenal’s defensive options, but also gives the Dutch a further choice for the upcoming international matches.