Mikel Arteta was somewhat guarded when it came to Jurrien Timber’s availability for this weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, suggesting the defender could yet be available for the match.

But any fan hopes of seeing the 2023 summer signing making his first-team comeback against Spurs have been dashed by the news that Timber will be playing for the Arsenal u21s this afternoon.

Official Arsenal social media channels have confirmed that Timber is starting for the u21s away to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at 13:00 BST.

The rest of Arsenal’s first-team squad should be available for the Spurs match, barring any surprise undisclosed injuries.

Timber already featured for the Arsenal u21s earlier this week, scoring a fantastic goal in a 45-minute appearance for the side against Blackburn Rovers.

He’ll now get another game against Liverpool, perhaps hoping to last a little bit longer this time.

“It’s been eight months, to be honest I stilll don’t really know how to feel,” Timber said after Monday’s game.

“Just being out there feels amazing, but even now it feels strange. I feel happy and blessed to be out there and it’s nice to score a goal as well.”

As for the goal, Timber admitted it even took him by surprise.

“I didn’t even realise I was scoring a goal,” Timber said. “I don’t score a lot of goals!

“Maybe that’s changed after my rehab, let’s see. It felt like a reward for the eight months hard work.”