Stick or twist? Should Arsenal sign another defender this summer?

2. Reason to buy: Further developments could force our hand

Timber’s injury has already prompted some transfer discussion, but any further medical issues/dealings might force Arsenal to explore the market again.

Speculation is growing that Kieran Tierney will leave north London before the window shuts, while Nuno Tavares has drawn interest from across Europe and may soon be on his way to opening-day opponents Nottingham Forest- two deals that would leave the club quite short at left-back.

Beyond those exits, Zinchenko and Tomiyasu are both frequently unavailable (missed 36 games combined since their arrivals via Transfermarkt), and it will induce panic among fans if their fitness is relied upon to manage a hectic fixture schedule.

Bad injury luck is a curse we cannot seem to escape, and Arteta insists on having two players per position. Therefore, it looks like more transfer activity is the only answer.