Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal's worst fears, revealing that summer signing Jurrien Timber faces a "long period" on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.
Defensive Crisis Hits Gunners
The Dutch international, who joined from Ajax in a £38 million deal, lasted just 50 minutes of his competitive debut before being forced off with what appears to be an ACL injury. Arteta admitted the situation looks "not good at all" for the 22-year-old defender.
"We're waiting for more details from the specialists," the Arsenal manager stated. "We needed to get some clarity on what's happening, but the first signs aren't positive."
January Transfer Plans Accelerated
With Timber potentially out for the majority of the season, Arsenal have been forced to accelerate their January transfer plans. Bayer Leverkusen's Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie has emerged as the primary target to bolster Arteta's defensive options.
The 21-year-old centre-back, who can also operate at left-back, fits Arsenal's profile for young, versatile defenders and has impressed in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen value their prized asset at around £30 million.
Arteta's Tactical Dilemma
Timber's absence presents Arteta with an immediate selection headache. The manager had planned to use the Dutchman's versatility across the back line, particularly as cover for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior now face increased pressure to step up, though neither offers the same technical quality in possession that Timber brought to the side.
With the transfer window closed until January, Arteta must find internal solutions to navigate what could be a challenging period for the title-chasing Gunners.
