Jurrien Timber’s eagerly anticipated Premier League debut took an unfortunate turn when he sustained an injury, but the talented defender from both Arsenal and the Netherlands has given supporters reason to believe he will be back on the field in no time.
Jurrien Timber has offered a glimmer of hope to Arsenal enthusiasts by implying a swift return to action following his injury during his inaugural Premier League appearance.
Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The Dutch prodigy, who was secured from Ajax in a substantial £38 million transfer last month, was forced to leave the pitch just five minutes into the second half of Arsenal’s hard-fought 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest. An apparent calf issue seemed to have been the cause of his exit. In the aftermath of the match, manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern about the extent of Timber’s injury. However, the 22-year-old has already alleviated concerns about a prolonged recovery period.
In an enthusiastic Instagram post, Timber shared: “A win to begin”, accompanied by emojis that read ‘back soon’. While fans in the comment section eagerly requested a timeline for his return, Arteta clarified that Arsenal’s medical staff would first need to evaluate the Netherlands international’s condition.
Arteta revealed to talkSPORT: “I need to speak with the doctors and understand what happened, but he had a really weird movement as soon as he came on the pitch. So, I don’t know.”
Arteta faced criticism for not substituting Timber during half-time, a decision he defended during the post-match press conference. He explained: “The doctors looked at him and they were happy for him to continue, he was as well.”
“However, in the first action of the second half, he made a movement that looked a bit peculiar. We promptly substituted him after that, and now we need to assess his condition and determine the extent of the issue.”
Arteta faced criticism for not substituting Timber during half-time
Despite Timber’s setback, Arsenal supporters could find solace in the team’s three-point haul. A well-executed goal by Eddie Nketiah and a sensational strike from Bukayo Saka ensured that Arsenal began their league campaign with a triumphant note. Taiwo Awoniyi’s late consolation goal for Nottingham Forest didn’t dampen the Gunners’ spirits. Arteta asserted: “We were extremely dominant, and we fully deserved to win the game. There’s no doubt about that.”
“Although we were ahead 2-0 and had opportunities to seal the victory, we didn’t capitalize on them. We then conceded a somewhat sloppy goal after having a corner and a chance from that corner.”
“Conceding a goal from just two passes immediately shifts the momentum in the league. Every team possesses the resources and quality to create challenges. Despite this, the reality is that we didn’t concede anything substantial. In this league, delaying the game can be perilous, but overall, I’m very pleased.”
