Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on new signing Jurrien Timber’s injury: We have to adapt and move on

Arsenal have suffered a major setback ahead of their game against Crystal Palace, with newly signed Dutch defender Jurrien Timber sidelined to injury.

Timber, 22, was acquired by Arsenal in a long-term deal from Ajax Amsterdam for 40 million euros (USD 43.52 million). However, in their season opener against Nottingham Forest, Timber sustained a knee injury and is scheduled to undergo surgery.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment during a press conference, stating, “After just joining to have this injury is a big blow for him. We recruited him intentionally to add to the team and now we have to adapt and move on.

“He has been very good, to be honest. He’s a special character. He’s in a good place, so we are all willing to help him, but it’s going to be a long journey. I’m thinking about the resources we have in the team but he would have given us different things on both sides of defence. It’s an opportunity for everybody. We need everybody.”

The development is timely as Arsenal are in the middle of a particularly successful spell. The club recently qualified for the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign and emerged as runners-up in last season’s Premier League. Their fantastic start to the season was boosted further by a victory against Manchester City to win the Community Shield.

In response to Timber’s injury, Arteta highlighted the need for adaptation, asserting that no position in the team has a fixed player. In light of the prevailing circumstances, the midfielder-turned-manager did not rule out the possibility of further business in the transfer window.

“It’s never my decision (transfers), it’s one we make as a club with other people involved. There are always other elements to that,” Arteta said. “My focus is on getting the best out of the squad we have now. We are always open in the transfer market both ways.”