Arsenal lost rookie Jurrien Timber at least half a year

According to a statement from Arsenal on August 16, Timber suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. The Dutch defender will be on the operating table in the next few days and must take a long break from the game.

Arsenal did not specify when Timber could return. But usually, players with anterior cruciate ligament surgery will need at least six months. According to Sunsport, in the event of a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, Timber could be out for up to nine months.

Timber joined Arsenal this summer for $51 million. In the opening match of the English Premier League 2023-2024 against Nottingham Forest on August 12, he was ranked as a left-back by coach Mikel Arteta. The Dutchman played well, but began to have problems after a fierce collision with Brennan Johnson at the end of the first half. He walked into recess with his legs limp.

Timer continued in the second half but played only five minutes, before making way for Takehiro Tomiyasu. On August 14, Arsenal confirmed that the 22-year-old defender had to take a few months off.

Timber's injury is another blow to Arsenal's title ambitions. Before that, they lost striker Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a knee injury and has not set a return date.

This context may cause Arsenal to return to the transfer market to pursue RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan, who is valued at more than $ 44 million. However, the possibility of "Gunners" buying more after spending $ 254 million this summer is still a question mark.

Despite Timber's injury, Arsenal still let Portugal defender Nuno Tavares leave in the next few days with potential destination Nottingham Forest. However, Arteta may have to keep Kieran Tierney, who is being interested by Newcastle and Real Sociedad.