Arsenal are intensifying their search for defensive reinforcements to provide cover for William Saliba, with Mikel Arteta confirming that Jurriën Timber remains several weeks away from a return to competitive football.
Saliba faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after aggravating a back problem during the World Cup, an issue that has troubled him since last season. Arsenal then suffered their second consecutive pre-season defeat, losing 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund in Sunday’s Emirates Cup match after making several defensive errors. Arteta declined to offer a timetable for the France international’s comeback, saying only that the injury would need time to recover.
Timber’s fitness is another concern. The defender withdrew from the Netherlands squad shortly before the World Cup because he had not recovered from an ongoing groin problem that kept him out for much of the closing stages of last season.
Asked when Timber might return, Arteta said he could not provide an exact date. He explained that Jurriën was making strong progress, had resumed work on the pitch and was already completing a significant amount of training, but was still weeks from being ready. Arteta added that Saliba had been instructed to rest completely for two weeks after worsening his injury and would require time to heal, with further information to be provided when available.
When questioned about managing without Saliba, Arteta said Arsenal had unfortunately dealt with similar circumstances before. He highlighted the defender’s major influence on the team and his outstanding statistics when available, adding that Timber’s absence was also a substantial loss.
Arsenal had an offer for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa turned down earlier in the summer and are likely to submit another bid for the England international, who can also operate at right-back. Villa reportedly value the 28-year-old at £60m, but Arsenal do not want to meet that figure because he has fewer than two years remaining on his contract. The Premier League champions have also considered Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, although a deal for the Argentina international appears highly improbable because Spurs are unwilling to strengthen their north London rivals.
Arteta selected Cristhian Mosquera alongside Gabriel Magalhães in central defence against Dortmund. He acknowledged that the current squad must raise its level before next week’s Community Shield fixture against Manchester City, while leaving open the possibility of adding another defender.
Arteta said Arsenal would only enter the market for someone capable of significantly improving the team. He admitted that the goals conceded against Dortmund were poor, particularly in terms of competitiveness, but stressed that responsibility belonged to the entire side. The manager added that the existing players must improve while the club continues seeking ways to strengthen.
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