Arsenal have been dealt a tough blow with an injury in the squad – but it could be an opportunity for them to sign a much-coveted defender instead
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal could use a serious injury in their squad as the motivation to go out and buy a wonderkid full-back they've tracked for months.
The Gunners beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the weekend but the victory was soured by the knee injury suffered by new recruit Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman was allowed to come back out for the second half, despite falling awkwardly in the first – before picking up another knock and leaving his debut early.
"We took him straight out and now we have to assess him to see what he has," Mikel Arteta told Arsenal.com in the aftermath, confirming that Timber was checked over half-time for damage to his knee but deemed fine to continue.
Jurrien Timber of Arsenal was taken off from his debut early with a serious knee issue (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
BILD reported as early as May that Arsenal had presented a "lucrative offer" to Ivan Fresneda ahead of a potential switch – before Timber was signed instead.
Fresneda has been on the radar for Barcelona this summer too, though a move to Catalonia has failed to transpire. With Arsenal now lacking in a position in which they thought to have cover, however, they could resurrect a move with a cut-price move, following Spanish outlet Relevo claiming that the defender's release clause is only €20 million.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
