Arsenal’s new signing, defender Jurrien Timber, has suffered a serious knee injury that is expected to keep him out for a significant amount of time. The 22-year-old sustained the injury during his Premier League debut in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Timber, who joined the club from Ajax in a £34 million transfer this summer, was substituted and assisted off the pitch by the club’s medical staff. Tests are currently being conducted to assess the full extent of the injury and determine a recovery timeframe.
This news comes as a major setback for Arsenal, as Timber had made an excellent start to his career in English football. The versatile defender had impressed during pre-season, playing in various positions across the backline.
Speaking after the victory, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commented on Timber’s injury, stating, “The doctors looked at him and they were happy for him to continue, he was as well. Straight away in the first action of the second half he made a movement and it was a bit funny. We took him out straight after and now we have to assess him and see what he has.”
The loss of Timber will be a significant blow to Arsenal’s defensive options, as he had quickly established himself as a valuable asset with his strong defensive skills and attacking contributions. His ability to play in different positions made Arsenal’s defense unpredictable.
However, Arsenal still have several versatile options to cope with Timber’s absence. Ben White has been reliable at right-back, and Oleksandr Zinchenko is nearing a return from injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu can comfortably play on both flanks, while Kieran Tierney, despite being left out of the squad on Saturday, remains an important player. Jakub Kiwior can also provide cover in both central defense and left-back positions.
Although the news of Timber’s injury is undoubtedly a blow to Arsenal, the team has enough depth and versatility to manage without him. Their upcoming match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park will be an opportunity for the other defenders to step up and prove their worth.
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