Arteta responds to criticism as Timber suffers injury on league debut
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists that the Gunners medical team were happy for Jurrien Timber to stay on the pitch shortly before he picked up his injury.
The Dutchman was handed his Premier League debut in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. He initially looked as though he picked up a problem following a first-half collision with Brennan Johnson.
Timber continued after that incident and remained in the side as the Gunners re-emerged after the half-time break. It only took a couple of minutes for a problem to surface again however. As he received the ball, he clutched his calf and fell to the floor. Timber was then helped from the pitch by medical staff and replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Some were left baffled that the former Ajax man was allowed to continue - particularly after his problem in the opening 45 minutes. Arteta has responded to that criticism by suggesting that half-time checks revealed Timber was fine to continue.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Arsenal boss said: “The physio and docs looked at him [Timber] and were happy to continue. Straight away in the second he made a movement and it felt funny. We will have to assess him.”
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Timber’s problem is just the latest in a growing list of problems that the Gunners have been forced to navigate during the opening portion of the season. Forward Gabriel Jesus is restricted to the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a knee issu e.
Jurrien Timber lasted just over a half during his Premier League debut (Getty Images)Who was your man-of-the-match in Arsenal's win against Nottingham Forest? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Meanwhile, the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Folarin Balogun were both missing from the squad to take on Forest on Saturday. The absences did not appear to hamper Arsenal too much as they edged past their opponents - goals coming from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.
The visitors did manage to restore some hope late on through Taiwo Awoniyi, with Arsenal forced to defend stoutly. Arteta had a strong message for his side after seeing them take their foot off the gas.
The Spaniard added: “You cannot give anything. But today we gave them something, a goal and some hope. That cannot happen against teams in the Premier League. This team are so well organised, they are so competitive and physical and they don’t need much to score.”
Arsenal will hope to continue their winning start in the Premier League in just over a week's time as they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
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