A brutal blow for Arsenal! New signing Jurrien Timber faces months out after sustaining injury on Premier League debut

• Debut ends after 50 minutes
• Absence likely to be months
• Club confirms knee injury

WHAT HAPPENED? The Dutch defender made his Premier League debut for the Gunners against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but he was forced off after just 50 minutes with a knee injury. Timber is undergoing a battery of tests and scans but The Daily Mail has reported that the club fear the defender may not be available for months.

WHAT THEY SAID: A statement from Arsenal confirmed the injury: "Further to his substitution during our match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Jurrien Timber has received extensive assessments and scans which have confirmed he has sustained an injury to his right knee.

"Jurrien will undergo a further detailed assessment and review with a consultant in the coming days to assess the full extent of the injury, in order to determine the next steps. A further update will be provided in due course."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The news is a blow with Arsenal currently struggling for options at full-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko's return from injury was delayed at the weekend, forcing Mikel Arteta to field Thomas Partey at right-back. The Spaniard will be hoping the versatile Timber can bounce back as quickly as possible in what promises to be a busy season.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Getty Images

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Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL? Arteta will have to think about who will fill the right and left back positions when the Arsenal face Crystal Palace next Monday.