Jurrien Timber reacts as Arsenal confirm long-term stay on the injury sidelines

Arsenal have announced that Jurrien Timber has sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The Netherlands international was withdrawn during the 2-1 victory after going down injured and will now undergo surgery in the coming days.

Timber will be out of action for a period of time, and he could miss the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign in what is a huge blow for Arsenal.

The 22-year-old has taken to Instagram to express how he is feeling, and his international teammate Virgil van Dijk and other players have sent him their best wishes in the comments section.

The Gunners could be forced to sign another defender before the end of the summer transfer window, but manager Mikel Arteta has received a huge boost, with Oleksandr Zinchenko nearing a return to full recovery and fitness going by the latest injury update the Ukraine international shared on social media last night.

The former Manchester City left-back missed the pre-season tour of the United States of America due to a calf injury that has plagued him since he joined the Gunners last summer, but was pictured in full training with his teammates and could be involved in action when Arsenal play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.

Timber played at left-back on Saturday, and Zinchenko would soon be available to return to the position in the coming days.

The Gunners have quality depth at centre-back and right-back, with Thomas Partey filling in there against Nottingham, while Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and 18-year-old Reuell Walters (who impressed in a cameo against Nuremberg during pre-season) can also play there.

Nevertheless, being without Timber for months is a massive blow, and Arsenal will hope he returns to full fitness sooner than expected.