Sport nationPrivacyPrivacy
Mikel Arteta makes Jurrien Timber injury prediction as Arsenal star steps up rehabilitation
Arsenal injury news – Jurrien Timber is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Mikel Arteta has backed him to impress for Arsenal for years to come
Mikel Arteta has backed Jurrien Timber to make an impact at Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed new signing Jurrien Timber to have a big role for the club in the future despite facing months on the sidelines through injury. The Dutch international arrived earlier this summer from Eredivisie side Ajax for a fee worth roughly £34million.
In pre-season, there were impressive performances, especially against Manchester City in the Community Shield – which the Gunners won. The 22-year-old added versatility in defence, able to play anywhere across the back four as well as midfield, with his comfort on the ball also apparent.
There were plenty of hopes for Timber as he made his debut in front of the Emirates Stadium crowd in the opening clash of the season against Nottingham Forest. There were concerns in the first half as the defender went to ground with a slight injury concern but he managed to continue.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Bukayo Saka injury, Gabriel Jesus return, Everton prediction
An impact in the second half led to Timber going down again and he had to be helped off by medical staff. It was later revealed that an anterior cruciate ligament injury was picked up in his knee, meaning he faced months out of action.
He has since had surgery, with the defender now stepping up his rehabilitation, being pictured on crutches at the Manchester United clash a few weeks ago. Arteta was asked about transfers, making a point on Timber when discussing why deals may not work out as intended.
“We are all human beings and you know that one plus one isn’t always making two,” the head coach said on transfer business. “In the end, it’s a bet. When buying a player, it’s a bet – and that bet can go wrong… because it’s a human. You have to bring them from different countries, cultures and styles of play.
“Then they have to live and adapt within a different system and environment. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I feel extremely responsible, especially when we’re demanding to buy players for huge amounts. You have to make sure we’ve done the work to make it happen. But sometimes it doesn’t.”
“Look at Jurrien,” he continued. “We’re extremely happy but, for a different reason, we don’t have him on the field. We paid a lot of money and he’s a player that’s going to be really important. But it’s not working at the moment because he can’t fulfil his job. Sometimes, it’s for that reason. But sometimes they’re not fitting in because they’re not playing well enough – and the coach makes so many mistakes that he doesn’t get the best from a player.“
Sport nation
