Jurrien Timber has encountered a significant setback early in his Arsenal career due to a severe injury, sidelining him from action at the Emirates Stadium for the past few weeks.
This unfortunate development comes after the Dutchman made a notable impression during the preseason and even secured a starting position in the team’s opening game of the season, with Gabriel Magalhaes serving as a substitute.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, held high expectations for Timber and had envisioned his crucial role in the club’s success for the current season.
However, it now seems that the former Ajax defender will be unavailable for the entirety of the first half of the season.
In a disappointing revelation, Arsenal recently unveiled their squad list for the Champions League group stages on their official website, and regrettably, Timber’s name was conspicuously absent from the roster.
This omission is a clear indication that Timber’s injury is more severe than initially anticipated.
Nevertheless, there remains hope that he could regain fitness and be ready to contribute during the second half of the campaign.
On a more positive note, Arsenal has included their other summer acquisitions, namely Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and David Raya, in the Champions League squad.
This demonstrates the club’s faith in these new signings and their potential to make an impact on the European stage.
While Timber’s absence is undoubtedly a setback, it’s important not to rush his return to action, especially when the team already possesses adequate cover for his position.
Arsenal appears well-equipped to navigate the group stage without him and should aim to secure qualification for the knockout stages.
