Jurrien Timber’s ACL ιɴjυɾу has sparked discussions over a replacement but Arsenal could save money by promoting from within.
Arsenal remain active in the transfer window and could yet step up efforts for further signings after the confirmation of Jurrien Timber’s ACL ιɴjυɾу.The Dutch international will undergo surgery after suffering the problem in the opening Premier League match of the season against Nottingham Forest.
Timber had been used in a left-back role with Oleksandr Zinchenko still fighting to return to full fitness. The Gunners have two other players who can also fulfil the position in the senior group including Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The latter was missing for the єɴԀ of last season having himself suffered a serious knee ιɴjυɾу against Sporting CP.He has since returned but has been open regarding his thoughts on his own status which he claims is not at a perfect ten yet.
“I don’t know,” he toldfootball.londonafter the win over Nottingham Forest. “It can be better you know?”
“I never say ten. I think I feel 100%, I never say ten. But I’m feeling good.”
If Mikel Arteta cannot find solutions outside of the club thɾօυɢҺ the acquisitions of new signings, then they may need to look within.Joao Cancelo is a name mentioned with suggestions of a £34.6m asking price from Manchester City.
Thankfully, there are a number of options that are looking to make the next step. A move which could save the club a serious amount of money.
If Arteta wants a like-for-like on the left then Lino Sousa is the perfect youngster to make the step up.Signed from West Brom as recently as January 2022, the now 18-year-old has been a staple of the youth sides but regularly joined in with senior training sessions.
He is appreciated for his ability to play the inverted role on the left flank well and has developed to a high standard under both Mehmet Ali and Jack Wilshere. A loan does not appear on the cards yet and cup competitions might be the best way to ease him into some senior game time.
Although Timber’s presence was more so for the left, it is the right-hand side which is also damaged by Timber’s loss. With that in mind, there are two right-sided youngsters also looking to make a sizeable step up to senior action.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy spent time away last season with two Championship sides, Rotherham and Coventry City – helping the latter reach the play-off final which they lost to Luton Town. Norton-Cuffy has been highly rated for quite some time and many supporters have wanted to see him given the chance to step up.
More of a traditional right-back though, he may face the challenge of learning the expectations of Arteta’s philosophy.That said, he enjoys defєɴԀing but certainly needs to refine a number of elements of his game, particularly his final ball.
The player though that has the best chance is certainly Reuell Walters. Walters has been included in many senior training sessions and even squads.
He went on the US tour in 2022 and joined the squad at the Adidas training centre on the past two opportunities. His ability to play full-back and centre-back is an asset and stylistically he suits the Arteta way.
Out of the three, perhaps there is a pathway for one to slip thɾօυɢҺ. That is of course unless a transfer is secured before the window closes.
