4 implications of Jurrien Timber’s significant injury

3. Trusting Jakub Kiwior

Barring any setbacks, when Zinchenko is healthy, he will occupy the left-back position and drift into midfield.

But given the injury to Timber, Arsenal could potentially delve into the market for another option. However, having already spent over £200m this summer, I don’t think Arsenal are keen to spend much more specifically to bolster their defence.

Kiwior will instead probably get more of a chance this season as he did at the end of 2022/23. When Saliba went down, it took a few matches before he was installed in the starting XI, but once he got his chance, he did well as a centre-back on the left side.

While he may not possess the versatility of Zinchenko or Timber in creating chaos in the midfield or joining the attack, he is a strong defender who should be considered by Arteta.

4. Questions about the medical team

Timber did look like he was hurt after the challenge that got him a yellow card to end the first half.

I for sure thought he was going to be subbed off at the half. However, Arteta said the doctors on his staff looked at him and said he was good to go.

Last month, the head of the medical staff Gary O’Driscoll left for Manchester United. He has been with the Gunners since 2009. One can not be certain of the discussions between Arteta and his medical staff during the half-time interval on Saturday, but after losing two key players this early, one can question if Arsenal have hired the best team on the medical side.