Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has given an update on the injuries that Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are currently recovering from
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
View 2 Images
Mikel Arteta has described Jurrien Timber's injury as "long-term" when revealing why Arsenal have signed Ezri Konsa. Back in March, Timber suffered a groin issue and returned for a brief cameo in the Champions League final but was clearly not match fit.
He was included the Netherlands' World Cup squad but had to withdraw while William Saliba suffered a back injury during the tournament. With both defenders currently out, Arteta and Arsenal chose to bring in Konsa from Aston Villa and the ongoing absence of Timber and Saliba has been provided as the reasoning behind the signing.
Arteta said on Sky Sports when asked about Konsa: "We needed one more player, we had seven players in the defensive line, we know that that's not enough. We have two long-term injuries, one with Jurrien, and one with Willy.
Content Image
Content Image
"And we wanted someone that didn't have the qualities that we already have, so somebody ideally with experience, because as a centre-back in this league you cannot play jokes, we know how important that position is, and I think Ezri brings a lot of qualities that we needed."
Timber is expected back in September with his problem certainly long-term seeing he has been plagued by it for the last five months. Saliba meanwhile, could miss the first half of the 2026/27 season having worsened a back injury at the World Cup.
F *OLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page*
A defensive signing was being explored alongside the ambitious move for Vinicius Junior but became the focus when he chose to stay at Real Madrid.
Konsa's arrival was confirmed today (Friday) and he joins as their fifth permanent summer signing after deals for Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes, Illan Meslier and Piero Hincapie.
A sixth addition is still on the cards with Gary Neville asking Arteta live on Sky Sports if there was anything more he wanted to do in the transfer window.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has issued a new Arsenal transfer verdict
View 2 Images
He replied: "We are trying to improve the team as well, we have to be dependent on any exits and what the numbers will look like at the end, but so far I'm very happy."
Tzolis is the only summer signing that has been named in the starting XI with Guimaraes missing out entirely because of an injury picked up on his competitive debut in the Community Shield last weekend.
On his absence, Arteta said: "He had a slight tension in his groin, he hasn't done a pre-season, he had only four or five days before that game (Community Shield). It is a lot of new stuff for him as well and we need to take it bit-by-bit."