Blackburn vs Arsenal LIVE!
Jurrien Timber will make his return from injury for Arsenal's Under-21s tonight in a trip against Blackburn's reserve side. It has been 254 days since the Dutch defender suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, bringing his introduction to Mikel Arteta's side to a sudden halt.
But that long, steady recovery process takes a big step forward tonight with Timber's expected inclusion in the squad for this Premier League 2 match at Ewood Park. But he is far from the only attraction in Mehmet Ali's team, with Reuell Walters, Ethan Nwaneri and Amario Cozier-Duberry all likely to feature.
Arsenal have already qualified for the elimination play-offs that will crown this year's U21 champions, but a home draw in the last 16 has not yet been secured and Blackburn are also closing in on a spot after three straight wins. Follow Blackburn vs Arsenal U21s LIVE via Standard sport 's competition blog!
Blackburn vs Arsenal U21s updates
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Arsenal line-up: Timber starts
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Blackburn line-up: Gilsenan is injured for the hosts
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Nwaneri hoped to continue his good form
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How to watch
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Kick-off time: 7pm BST | Ewood Park
Kick-off in fifteen minutes
How will Jurrien Timber fare when he returns to action?
Stalemate in the last meeting between the parties
The two sides eliminated each other in their last meeting, a 1-1 draw in March 2023.
Blackburn's Harry Leonard scored the equalizer in the 90th minute after Charles Sagoe Jr, now on loan at Swansea City, opened the scoring in the first half.
Will Arsenal, led by Jack Henry-Francis, claim all three points tonight?
Cozier-Duberry starts at the top
Amario Cozier-Duberry starts in attack for Arsenal.
The 18-year-old has scored six goals in fifteen Premier League 2 games this season.
Only Ethan Nwaneri and Khayon Edwards, now on loan at Leyton Orient, have scored more for Arsenal's top prospects in the league this season.
Arsenal excited about Timber's return
The story continues
Blackburn's setup
Blackburn's Premier League 2 top scorer Zak Gilsenan is missing with an injury.
Arsenal's line-up
Timber starts at left back for the Gunners. He makes his first appearance in eight months.
Blackburn is aiming for a fifth win in a row
Blackburn U21s are in excellent form having lost just one of their last nine league matches.
They have won their last four Premier League 2 games against Everton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
Blackburn are currently in 13th place but look set for the PL 2 play-offs, with the top 16 teams entering the elimination rounds.
Ethan Nwaneri will be hoping to continue his good form
The last time Nwaneri played against Villa means he has scored ten goals in eleven Premier League 2 appearances this season.
The England U17 international played for Arsenal's first team in their 6-0 win over West Ham in February.
He became the youngest ever Premier League player when he made his debut in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Brentford in September 2022, aged 15 years and 181 days.
The midfielder is only 17 years old and signed his first professional contract with Arsenal last month.
Arsenal U21s are looking to bounce back after Villa's defeat
Arsenal will be looking for a positive result at Ewood Park after last Monday's 3-5 home defeat to Aston Villa.
Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest ever Premier League player, scored two late consolation goals at Meadow Park.
The Gunners currently sit sixth in Premier League 2, but a win could move them above Chelsea and Liverpool into fourth place with just one game remaining of the regular season.
Mikel Arteta explains Jurrien Timber's injury return plan ahead of potential Tottenham vs. Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is hopeful Jurrien Timber will play again this season, but Sunday's north London derby may come too soon.
When asked if Timber could play against Arsenal's local rivals, Arteta commented: "That's a quick move!"
"He has trained very well, he seems ready."
"He needs that exposure and then we will judge whether that match comes at the right time or too soon. We will try to get him with us for the last games."
Read the full story here
Blackburn team news
Blackburn have a number of injury doubts for tonight's match.
Charlie Olson, Joe Hilton, Alex Baker, Kristi Montgomery and George Pratt are all missing.
Goalkeeper Felix Goddard, as well as Ben Fyles and Isaac, are hoping to return after recent injury problems.
How to watch
The U21 match will be broadcast live for free on Arsenal.com and on the official Arsenal app.
The match starts at 7pm at Blackburn's Ewood Park with coverage starting at 6.55pm.
Wood that returns
The Dutch defender has been sidelined since the opening game of the Premier League season, where he suffered a serious knee ligament injury against Nottingham Forest.
The £38.5million summer signing has been back in training in recent weeks and will play his first match in eight months tonight.
The versatile defender can play anywhere on the back line and has played fifteen international matches for the Netherlands.
Blackburn vs Arsenal U21s LIVE!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's coverage of Arsenal Under-21's trip to Blackburn.
The Gunners are expected to have Jurrien Timber back in their line-up for their Premier League 2 trip to Ewood Park.
Kick-off takes place at 7pm BST, as the U21 season nears its end, with places still to be claimed in the elimination play-offs.
Tune in for all the build-up, team news, match action and reaction!
