Mikel Arteta is ‘open’ to further additions to his Arsenal squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of the month
Arsenal have been dealt a major blow to their hopes of replacing Jurrien Timber with Benjamin Pavard. The 22-year-old defender, who recently joined the Gunners from Ajax, has suffered a devastating knee injury which is expected to keep him out of action for a while.
Towards the end of the first-half of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest, Timber went down clutching his right knee. After receiving treatment, he returned to the field for the second-half but he was quickly replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu
Following several scans and further assessments, the north London outfit later revealed that Timber suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. In an official statement, Arsenal confirmed that the Netherlands international would undergo surgery and, as a result, be ‘out of action for a period of time’.
With Timber expected to miss a large chunk of the season, Mikel Arteta entered the market for a like-minded replacement. So, according to the Metro, the Gunners considered a move for Pavard from Bayern Munich.
The report stated that the Red Devils are also interested in the 27-year-old, but they’re struggling to fund a bid after failing to sell Harry Maguire. Ironically, United have been in the market for a versatile defender ever since Arsenal beat them to the signature of Timber.
Pavard sees his contract at the Allianz Arena expire at the end of next season, making him available for a cut-price fee (€30million (£25.7m)). However, despite the France international’s increasingly uncertain future, Bayern has decided that he will stay, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.
The Bundesliga champions’ decision follows comments made by Thomas Tuchel, who insisted that Pavard has a future at the club. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the former Chelsea boss said: “Benji hasn’t communicated to me that he really wants to leave. As of now, there hasn’t been an offer. He’s our player and gets full support. Until that changes, we’re fully counting on him.”
With Pavard set to stay at Bayern, Arsenal have just over a week to find a replacement for Timber. Speaking to the press on Thursday also, Arteta revealed how the Gunners will deal with the Dutchman’s absence.
“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,” said the Spaniard. “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.
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