Jurrien Timber injury could force big-spending Arsenal back into transfer market

Summer signing from Ajax suffered serious knee injury during opening weekend win over Nottingham Forest

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in LonShow more

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that the “huge blow” of losing summer signing Jurrien Timber to injury, potentially for the season, could force the club back into the transfer market.

Netherlands defender Timber signed from Ajax in a £38 million deal during a transfer window that has also seen England midfielder Declan Rice (£105 million from West Ham United) and Germany attacker Kai Havertz (£65 million from Chelsea) arrive at the Emirates Stadium.

But Timber limped out of Arsenal's opening weekend win over Nottingham Forest with the club confirming on Wednesday he suffered anterior ligament damage and will need surgery.

“Gutted to share my injury is more serious than expected, especially after the warm welcome I've received,” said the 22-year-old on social media when the news emerged.

Reports suggest Timber felt no immediate pain after a challenge with Brennan Johnson just before half-time and underwent stringent tests during the interval.

Club medical staff believe the outcome of the injury would not have changed had he been substituted immediately instead of playing on for five minutes of the second half before being replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

“Huge blow. Especially for him after just joining the club. To have the injury he has is a huge blow,” said Arteta ahead of Monday's game at Crystal Palace.

“It is for the team because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident and he's not going to be able to do it this season for us. We have to adapt. These things happen unfortunately and we have to move on.

“He's been very good to be honest. He's a special character. He knows, he's starting to realise the extent of the injury and the amount of time he's going to be out. But he's in a good place. We are willing to help him obviously and be close to him, but we know it's going to be a long journey.”

And Arteta suggested that Arsenal could dip their toe back into the market following the injury setback.

“We didn't plan with this injury. We have to assess what the options are, what are the best players that we have because, as I said, my challenge is to get the best from the players that we have. I cannot assess anyone who is not here.

“We are always open and we have to be open as well to react if something happens, not only with an injury but if something happens in the market as well. That's what we're doing.”

Timber was not the only player to suffer serious injury in the opening weeks of the new season, with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa also forced off.

Arteta also highlighted a number of other injury issues when asked if the problems could link back to the amount of football that players are being asked to complete.

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“Also Emi Buendia, [Thibaut] Courtois, it happened to [Eder] Militao as well – there is something there,” he added.

“In the past you can say: 'yes there have been games, there have been tours as well'. But with games, tours, the World Cup in January, plus this, plus that, plus internationals. It is a lot. It is too much for the players.

“It is incredibly demanding, when you see the next 36 months of the calendar for these players it is just better not to look at it because it is incredible what they are going to be doing.

“We have to look after them but, as a club, when do you look after them? To prioritise other competitions? Then we are the ones that have to look after them – what we really need is to be sitting down [discussing plans], but I think it is too late, at least for the next 36 months it is too late already.

“I don't know who needs to raise a voice here, but there are worries, big worries on that.”