The Dutchman has not featured for the Gunners since the opening game of the league season where he suffered a serious knee injury at home.

He has been under rehab over the past few months after a surgery. Timber was back on the grass in Dubai recently but he is far off from a return.

When asked about him, Arteta said that the former Ajax man could be involved for the club before the conclusion of the campaign.

He said: "There is a possibility but at the moment he’s still very far from competing. Are we hopeful that he could have a realistic impact before the end of the season? At the moment it looks like that."

Timber is pencilled to return to action in March, but the Gunners may handle him with extra caution, considering his long injury lay-off. He could be limited to cameo displays for the rest of the season.

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