Arsenal told to reconsider Kieran Tierney transfer stance after Jurrien Timber injury and ‘ongoing talks’

Arsenal could be set to offload one or more of their left-backs despite concern over Jurrien Timber’s injury.

Big-money summer signing Timber suffered a knee injury during Arsenal’s Premier League opener with Nottingham Forest, and the extent of the injury has not yet been revealed. The Gunners have since released a statement, but they are playing their cards close to their chest at this stage, not confirming what the actual injury is.

A statement read: “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.”

In the meantime, Arsenal look set to offload left-back Nuno Tavares after two years, with Fabrizio Romano tweeting: “Nottingham Forest submit formal proposal to sign Arsenal left back Nuno Tavares on permanent deal. Forest trying top signing as new fullback as negotiations are still ongoing also on player side. Deal on.”

Elsewhere, Kieran Tierney is also being linked with a move away after reduced involvement last season, and both a loan and permanent deal have been mentioned. That could leave Arsenal particularly short on that side, especially with Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury history being less than ideal.

And that’s why former Gunners star Mikael Silvestre has called on his old club not to offload Tierney just yet.

“With Timber’s injury I think we have to wait and see because if I’m Mikel Arteta I would put a hold on Tierney leaving and see how things develop with Timber,” he told bettingexpert.com.

“It could happen maybe towards the end of the window but right now I would keep all my defenders because I’ve lost one maybe for a long time. It would be premature to consider letting go of Kieran.”

Silvestre added: “It’s a blow to lose a defender or any player at the beginning of the season. Especially a new signing because you’re hoping that he would add value to the squad straight away. With Tomiyasu and Tierney they will cover for Timber’s injury.”