Jurrien Timber’s Premier League debut for Arsenal was cut short due to injury, as he was forced to leave the field less than 50 minutes into the game against Nottingham Forest. At that point, Arsenal had a comfortable 2-0 lead. This was only Timber’s second appearance for the Gunners, with his first being in the Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Unfortunately, Timber’s debut took a worrying turn as he pulled up sharply off the ball. Concerningly, he was unable to continue playing and had to be substituted due to the injury. It appeared that Timber had sustained an issue in the first half following a collision with Brennan Johnson. Although he returned after the break, his condition worsened, ultimately leading to his departure from the match.
When asked if Timber could have been taken off sooner, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta explained that the doctors had assessed him during half-time and deemed him fit to continue. However, moments into the second half, Timber’s movement raised concerns, prompting his substitution. Now, the extent of his injury will need to be evaluated.
Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Timber in the match, indicating that Gabriel Magalhaes may also be dealing with an undisclosed injury. Timber, a recent addition to Arsenal’s squad from Ajax for a fee of £34 million, was among several signings made by Arteta during the summer transfer window. Other notable signings include Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Declan Rice from West Ham for a club record fee of £105 million.
To add to Arsenal’s challenges, the start of the game was delayed by half an hour due to issues with the turnstiles. Despite these setbacks, the Gunners managed to secure a 2-0 lead before Timber’s injury forced a change in their defensive setup.
Overall, Timber’s premature exit from his Premier League debut is a disappointment for Arsenal and their fans. The coaching staff will now have to assess the extent of his injury and determine how it will impact the team moving forward. As the season progresses, Arsenal will need their defensive signings to contribute and strengthen their backline.