Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hints at further transfers to cover for injured Jurrien Timber

Mikel Arteta has admitted he could bring in further recruits after Jurrien Timber’s potentially season-ending injury.

Arsenal only signed the defender this summer in a deal worth £40million from Ajax and had been tipped for stardom.

Timber was forced off with an injury at the weekendTNT Sports

But on his Premier League debut, the 22-year-old suffered an injury to his ACL and will require surgery – potentially ending his season before it had ever truly got started.

It is a cruel blow to Arteta, who worked tirelessly to bring in the Dutchman, but he has revealed he could be ready to dip back into the transfer market.

He said in his press conference on Thursday morning: “We did not plan for this injury so we have to assess now what the options, the best way to get the best out of the players that we have.

“Because, as I said, my biggest challenge now is to get the best out of the players that we have.

“I cannot control anything that is not here and we are open and we have to be open to reacting if something happens.

“Not only with injuries but in the market as well and that is what we are doing.”

Arsenal are currently fairly well-stocked in central defence, where William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu can all play, as well as Kieran Tierney if needed.

Timber suffered an injury against Nottingham Forest last week after going down with no one around him.

Arteta has revealed he might look at signing a replacementGetty

Arsenal could be without Timber for the rest of the seasonGetty

Initial reports indicated that the injury might not be too serious but Arsenal’s worst fears were met when the diagnosis came through and said that his ACL had been ruptured.

A statement from Arsenal read: “Jurrien will undergo surgery in the coming days and will be out of action for a period of time.

“The support and expertise from our medical team and everyone at the club will now be focussed on Jurrien’s rehabilitation programme, to ensure he recovers well and is back playing as soon as possible.”

Timber also broke his silence on social media, saying: “Gutted to share my injury is more serious than expected, especially after the warm welcome I’ve received.

“I wanted to repay you on the pitch, which will not be possible for the forthcoming period.

“I’m blessed with a lot of great people around me, together we will do anything to get back as soon and strong as possible.

“For now I’ll be supporting our team from the stands of course. Thanks for making me feel at home in such a short period of time, see you at The Carpet.”