Timber’s Spain rehab clashes with Coventry’s Emirates prep

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is training in Marbella, Spain, while Coventry City have booked the same venue to prepare for their Premier League opener at the Emirates. The Dutch international’s rehab follows a groin injury that kept him out of the World Cup, contrasting with the City side’s eager pre‑season buildup.

Images released by Alex Pantling/Getty show Timber on the training pitch, working with a personal trainer at the Marbella facility. Coventry City are using the same site as they ready themselves for the return to the Premier League and the opening game against Arsenal at the Emirates. The venue is a popular base for professional footballers and sportsmen.

Free‑agent Dele Alli, 30, was also spotted at the Marbella complex this week, having been without a club since the start of September. Ross Barkley, 32, has been linked to the site, with reports suggesting a possible move to Coventry. Barkley still has a year left on his Aston Villa contract and Frank Lampard is reportedly eager to sign him.

Timber picked up the groin injury against Everton in mid‑March and later featured for 54 minutes, including extra time, in the Champions League final against PSG. Since joining Arsenal from Ajax in 2023, he has missed 78 games for Arsenal and the Netherlands, 53 of those due to the ACL injury he suffered in the first game of his first season at the club. The Dutch defender’s setbacks have prompted Arsenal to overhaul their medical and conditioning teams.

A photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images highlights the club’s complete revamp of medical and conditioning staff. The images underscore the extent of changes made after Timber’s injury woes. Arsenal hope the new setup will aid Timber’s recovery and future availability.