Journalist hints Arsenal may stand in player’s way this summer – Could be in country’s plans regardless

Arsenal could stand in Jurrien Timber’s way this summer and block him from featuring for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

That’s according to journalist Maarten Wijffels, who believes it would be odd for Arsenal to sanction the defender’s inclusion in the tournament.

Timber is currently battling back from a cruciate ligament tear picked up in August but returned to training towards the end of February.

There is a growing hope that the defender could return from the injury, which has already seen him miss 34 Arsenal games this season, before the end of the season.

That would put him in contention to be part of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, with the defender having been a regular for his country since making his debut in 2021.

All indications have been that manager Ronald Koeman would want him in his squad if he is available for selection, despite him enjoying a plethora of options when it comes to central defenders at this moment in time.

Wijffels would not be surprised if that was the case, but does believe Arsenal may have something to say about the matter.

“Selection will be made in the coming international period for the matches in March, so you can consider taking him with you, especially if he plays really well,” FC Update report him saying.

“If you are Arsenal, and you have already missed a player like that for three quarters of a season, are you eager to say: you go and play that tournament. Or would you rather keep him at home with a view to the next season?

“I think that the KNVB, and national coach Ronald Koeman, can live with that, given the truckload of central defenders. would be surprised if he still comes along. But hey, you never know.”