Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has raised significant concerns about the well-being of players following the injury of defender Jurriën Timber inat the beginning of the new season.
Timber is facing the possibility of missing a substantial portion of the 2023-24 season due to surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. The 22-year-old is among several players who have faced setbacks, including Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne, who will be out for four months due to a hamstring issue, and Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendía and Tyrone Mings, both of whom sustained ACL injuries this month.
Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão of Real Madrid have also fallen victim to ACL injuries, leading Arteta to express concerns about the demanding fixture schedule putting excessive strain on players.
"There is a significant issue here," Arteta stated. "While we've had games and tours in the past, with the addition of games, tours, the upcoming World Cup in [December], and other international commitments, it's becoming too much for the players."
"The demands are incredibly high. When you look at the next 36 months of the calendar for these players, it's almost overwhelming. We need to care for them, but as a club, when is the right time to do so? If we prioritize other competitions, then we're the ones left responsible for their well-being. What we truly need is a sit-down discussion, but I fear it might be too late—especially for the next 36 months."
"I'm not sure who needs to voice these concerns, but they are significant and can't be ignored."
There is no set timeline for Timber's return, and sources have played down criticism suggesting that his injury worsened due to immediate handling.
Timber, who joined from Ajax for £34 million ($43m) during the summer, sustained the injury towards the end of the first half of his competitive debut against Nottingham Forest. He returned for the second half but experienced a breakdown shortly after.
Sources from ESPN revealed that Timber underwent thorough medical evaluations during halftime, and no initial signs indicated the severity of the injury. Moreover, the player wanted to continue playing, and even after he left the field for the second time, he was reportedly walking pain-free around two hours later.
It was only after a series of scans in the following days that the full extent of the injury became apparent, leading to the decision to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
Arteta commented, "The injury he's facing is a significant setback. It's not just for the team, but also for Timber himself. We brought him in with a clear purpose, and his contributions were evident. Unfortunately, he won't be able to play this season. We need to adapt to this situation. Such things happen, and we have to move forward."
Arteta hinted that Arsenal might explore the market to find a replacement for Timber, despite already spending over £240 million during the summer.
"We didn't anticipate this injury," he added. "We need to evaluate our options and consider the best players we have. My focus is on maximizing the potential of our current squad. I can't assess players who aren't here. We remain open and prepared to act if anything arises, not just injuries but potential market developments as well. That's our approach."
"I'm dedicated to bringing out the best in my squad, and we're open to possibilities during the transfer window in both directions. There's still work to be done."
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