Blow for Arteta: “Great” Arsenal player out injured for even longer than recently reported

Arsenal did well to add some much-needed depth in the summer transfer window, after they eventually collapsed under the exhaustion of a Premier League title race against Manchester City last season. With the return of Champions League football at The Emirates in mind, Mikel Arteta made additions likely to help his side fire on all cylinders, competing for every honour.

So far, it's been a case of so good for the Gunners, too, who are still unbeaten in the Premier League, and only second behind North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference. They will now hope that the international break has failed to halt their momentum, and they pick up where they left off. It's not all good news at The Emirates, however, with one particular player set to miss longer than recently reported through injury.

What's the latest Arsenal injury news?

On the injury front, Arsenal have been fairly fortunate so far this season, given that Arteta has rarely missed key men. The Spaniard was, of course, without Bukayo Saka against Manchester City, but the return of Gabriel Martinelli saw Arsenal pick up all three points in a statement victory. When it comes to long-term absences, Jurrien Timber is the only name set to miss an extended spell.

The latest Timber injury news has claimed that the Dutchman is set to be out for longer than recently suggested. There have been recent reports that the defender could make a swift return in January, but according to Football Transfers, Arsenal's £38m summer signing is now set to make his comeback around March, with initial reports of a return in the New Year wide of the mark.

This can be seen as a blow for Arteta, as the Arsenal manager may have been hoping for the best but must now continue to cope without the former Ajax man months into 2024, likely falling back on the reliable Oleksandr Zinchenko instead.What is the injury to Jurrien Timber?

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Suffering an ACL injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest, Timber faced the worst possible start to his career in England, and has been missing ever since, forced to watch on for some important Arsenal games.

Games Jurrien Timber has missed

Date

Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal

21/08/2023

Arsenal 2-2 Fulham

26/08/2023

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

3/09/2023

Everton 0-1 Arsenal

17/09/2023

Arsenal 4-0 PSV Eindhoven

20/09/2023

Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

24/09/2023

Brentford 0-1 Arsenal

27/09/2023

Bournemouth 0-4 Bournemouth

30/09/2023

RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal

3/10/2023

Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City

8/10/2023

So, whilst Arsenal have remained unbeaten domestically even in Timber's absence, it could be argued that his presence against Lens in particular, could have led to an improved result. The praise that the full-back has received in the past certainly highlights his talent, with Netherlands teammate Virgil van Dijk saying:

"I wasn’t nearly as far along as he is now [at the same age]. I have nothing but praise for him. He is a great player and a true professional. He has so much potential. Hopefully he can develop further. Then it will be all right, I think.”