It’s a tragic begin to as we speak after information of a severe damage to Jurrien Timber emerged yesterday.
There had been nothing official from the membership, however rumours that he had suffered an ACL damage started to flow into. There have been some exterior experiences from journalists on the Arsenal beat, after which the membership issued a press release which stated:
Additional to his substitution throughout our match towards Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Jurrien Timber has obtained in depth assessments and scans which have confirmed he has sustained an damage to his proper knee.
Jurrien will bear an additional detailed evaluation and assessment with a advisor within the coming days to evaluate the total extent of the damage, with the intention to decide the subsequent steps. An additional replace might be supplied sooner or later.
Everybody on the membership might be centered on supporting Jurrien presently.
In the meantime, Dutch journalist Mike Verweij – who was extraordinarily stable when it got here to the reporting of Timber’s transfer to Arsenal – posted an replace to say there had been an damage to the cruciate:
Dramatic information for Jurriën #Timber, who’s sidelined for months with damage to his anterior cruciate ligament, sources across the participant report. Additional investigations to comply with. #Arsenalhttps://t.co/aqVQHLaWMJ
— Mike Verweij (@MikeVerweij) August 14, 2023
First, it’s actually horrible information for the participant. On his Premier League debut after an enormous transfer from Ajax, he has suffered an damage which – even in one of the best case state of affairs from right here – goes to go away him sidelined for months. It’s simply very unhappy and merciless for him on a private degree, and hopefully he could make a full and speedy restoration. It’s going to be a tricky slog for him.
Secondly, it’s horrible information for Arsenal. Timber was one of many summer time additions who was introduced in to provide us high quality and depth, and now we’ll must do with out him. Whether or not it means we’ll dip again into the market is a dialogue level I’ve seen loads of since this information turned public, and it’s not unimaginable we would do one thing, however the squad is already too large and now we have to trim it down earlier than we are able to even take into account one other addition.
Clearly questions might be requested as to how his state of affairs was managed. He picked up an damage simply earlier than half-time, and didn’t actually look snug when he got here again on. On the break, the participant – in session with the medical employees – underwent checks and it was felt he was fantastic to return out for the second half. Clearly although, issues didn’t go in addition to hoped, as early within the second interval he suffered one other damage.
As I discussed on the Arsecast Additional yesterday, I did a Patreon podcast with Dr Andrew Mitchell from the College of Bedfordshire about accidents, prevention, rehab and so on – and he spoke about how one damage can typically result in one other. Timber actually didn’t exit for the second half with a ruptured ACL, however within the phrases of Andrew through e mail yesterday, “This can be a traditional instance of a major damage, resulting in a secondary damage.”
By the best way, that podcast is free to hear now through Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/posts/87376855
Hindsight is 20/20 in fact, however I ponder if on this state of affairs – Arsenal 2-0 up at dwelling, dominating possession, within the 5 sub period, and with two gamers in Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior who may come on in that place – the smart factor to do is err on the facet of warning and make the change. Perhaps it’s one thing to think about going ahead. Gamers will typically push themselves by way of ache as a result of they need to play, and you’ll perceive why on his dwelling debut Timber would have been eager to proceed. Which isn’t responsible him, or the medical workforce who may have been guided by his responses to them, however possibly it’s a studying second for something like this sooner or later.
The flip facet of that is that the smart strategy received’t typically win you too many plaudits. You’ll be able to’t say with certainty that as a result of we took off X participant we 100% prevented Y damage, and there are such a lot of different elements that can inform how individuals view that type of determination – not least the influence on the sport/consequence. Nevertheless, that is another excuse why you want an enormous, deep squad – subs don’t must be nearly how you alter a recreation, but in addition the way you defend a participant.
Once more, it’s simply actually unhappy information for Timber, and all we are able to do is want him the perfect together with his restoration. Additional evaluation of his damage will give the membership the total image, and it might be that there’s extra injury on prime of the ACL a part of issues. Fingers crossed it’s as uncomplicated as this may be.
As for the implications when it comes to the squad and the switch market, I don’t anticipate something within the very brief time period. On the correct there’s nonetheless Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba, with Gabriel, Kiwior and Zinchenko on the left. Given Timber was signed ostensibly to play on the correct, I don’t suppose it would change a lot for Kieran Tierney, for instance, and there are rumours of West Ham curiosity. Different defenders on the fringes like Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares, and Cedric aren’t actually the reply both, and I think they are going to depart earlier than the tip of the window. Then it’s about whether or not there’s room for one more participant in a 25 man squad, and what alternative, if something, is on the market out there.
We signed Timber to a 5 yr deal, his long-term future is right here, and I’d be shocked if we went out and simply purchased one other participant. If the correct man was accessible on mortgage, that is likely to be the best way round this, however the previous couple of weeks of the window can typically throw up some unusual offers so let’s see.
Proper, I’ll depart it there. There’s a model new Arsecast Additional for you, recorded yesterday night. Hear under, or wherever you get your podcasts. Extra right here tomorrow.
