When will Jurrien Timber be back? Arsenal drop hint on Dutchman's ACL injury recovery as updated Champions League squad is revealed

The Dutch centre-back has been out since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear on his Premier League debut. The 22-year-old could be back in the near future as the Gunners have made him eligible for the Champions League, Football.London reports. Fellow injured stars Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus are also in the list.

Speaking on Arsenal's warm-weather training camp in Dubai in January, Arteta was optimistic about Timber's chances of featuring again this season, saying: “There is a possibility, but at the moment he’s still very far from competing. That’s the realistic picture of it. “Are we hopeful that he could have a realistic impact before the end of the season? If everything goes well, it looks like that might happen. At the moment though it’s too early to make that call.”

Arteta's team will face Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League after finishing top of their group ahead of PSV. The first leg of the tie will go ahead on February 21, but it is not yet known if Timber will be fit to feature in the match in Portugal.

Arsenal signed the Netherlands international from Ajax in a deal worth £40 million ($52m). He limped off at the end of the first half of his first league appearance and had to undergo surgery on his knee before beginning his long recovery.

Before Arsenal start preparing for their European tie against Porto later this month, the capital club will look to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool by beating West Ham and Burnley in their next domestic matches.