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.
Arsenal 2 Forest 1: Player ratings
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ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 7: Had been almost a total spectator for most of game until Forest’s late goal which he had no chance with but turned the Emirates into a nervy place for last season’s Premier League runners-up. Getty -
Thomas Partey 7: Started on right of back four and out of his central-midfield role comfort zone but Ghanaian played well for Gunners. Solid day’s work. AFP -
Ben White 7: Pinged some beautiful balls out from back and coped comfortably with Johnson, bar once early in the game when the striker found himself through on goal only to miss target. AP -
William Saliba 8: A critical miss at the end of last season due to injury and a welcome return to the team for cultured French defender. In right place to cut out through ball to Johnson in rare first-half Forest attack. Remained calm presence in edgy last 10 minutes from Gunners. Reuters -
Jurrien Timber receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Getty -
Declan Rice 7: Quietly efficient game from England midfielder. Saw a few shots on goal saved by Turner, the closest of which was a low strike that took a deflection and saw former teammate get down well to palm away. Getty -
Martin Odegaard 8: Gunners captain was immaculate with his passing and helped Arsenal completely dominate possession. Started the new campaign just like he played for most of the last, controlling the game from middle of park. AP -
Kai Havertz 6: Quiet game from German summer signing from Chelsea, tidy in the pass, had a couple of shots blocked, but little threat on goal, although was playing in deeper role for most of game. Teed-up one late chance for Rice. Reuters -
Bukayo Saka 8: Glorious curling left-footed finish into top corner after cutting inside from the right to put Arsenal 2-0 up. A threat from start to finish and an excellent game from one of the Premier League's best players last season. Reuters -
Gabriel Martinelli 6: Barely had kick before producing lovely piece of skill to set-up Neketiah’s opener. Not the relentless attacking threat of last season but still a handful at times. AFP -
Eddie Nketiah 7: Shot that opened scoring took slight deflection but will have been delighted to have found net after being given starting berth for opening game of season. EPA -
SUBS: Takehiro Tomiyasu (On for Timber 48’) 7: Shot straight at keeper from outside box a minute after coming on. AFP -
Leandro Trossard (On for Nketiah 74’) 6: No chance for former Brighton man to make impact. AFP -
Gabriel (On for Martinez 87’) N/A. Getty -
NOTTINGHAM FOREST RATINGS: Matt Turner 7: American keeper up against the side he left only a few days ago and will have been frustrated to be beaten by Nketiah’s deflected strike after 26 minutes. No chance with stunning Saka finish, though, not long after. Getty -
Willy Boly 7: Some fantastic challenges in both halves, including one timed to perfection to deny Nketiah a second goal, although was beaten far too easily by same player ahead of first goal. Reuters -
Joe Worrall 7: Not his day for deflections. Desperate attempt to block Nkatiah’s strike only resulted in sending effort past keeper for opening goal. Another deflection, this time on Rice strike, needed Turner to make save. Getty -
Scott McKenna 7: Scottish defender made some important interceptions in the air and on the deck. Helped keep Martinelli's threat to minimum. Reuters -
Serge Aurier 6: Formerly of Gunners’ North London rivals Spurs and given the expected hot reception by home fans. Wing back was solid enough defensively but distribution not the greatest going forward. Getty -
Ryan Yates 6: Fine block on Havertz shot in 25th minute, kept chasing and harrying Arsenal when in possession. Saw shot on turn in box saved in second half but offside had gone up anyway. Getty -
Orel Mangala 6: Belgian midfielder gives some physical presence in centre of park but generally chasing Arsenal shadows and picked up booking for blatant pull on Odegaard. Reuters -
Ola Aina 7: Free transfer from Torino up against the livewire Saka and earned the game’s first yellow card for tripping England attacker. Good performance, though, facing a quality opponent. Had one shot deflected wide of Ramsdale’s near post in second half. Reuters -
Danilo 5: Potential dangerman for Forest but Brazilian couldn’t get foothold in game. Disappointing afternoon and taken off with 20 minutes left. Reuters -
Morgan Gibbs-White 6: Caught in possession trying to trick his way out of own penalty area that would lead to Saka scoring Arsenal’s second goal. Sent shot way over bar a minute after Awoniyi’s goal. Getty -
Brennan Johnson 5: Should have opened scoring in 11th minute when through one-on-one with Ramsdale but shot high and wide of target. Proved a costly miss. Getty -
SUBS: Taiwo Awoniyi (On for Danilo 72’) 7: Forest’s top scorer last season produced classic striker’s finish from close range to drag Forest back into game. Reuters -
Anthony Elanga (On for Johnson 80’) N/A. Superb cameo for summer signing from Manchester United and produced brilliant pacy run and ball into box to set-up goal for fellow sub Awoniyi. Reuters. Neco Williams (On for Aina 72’) 6: One of Forest substitutes that helped suddenly spark them into life, although the former Liverpool man was less influential than Awonyi and Elanga. -
Cheikhou Kouyate (On for Mangala 90’) N/A. Chris Wood (On for Worrall 90’) N/A.
“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.”
