EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal turn to wonderkid Walters as Timber replacement
Steve Kay
- Updated: 18 Aug 2023 12:50 BST
- 5 min read
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ready to give academy prospect Reuell Walters the opportunity to step up and replace the injured Jurrien Timber for the remainder of the season, FootballTransfers can reveal.
The Gunners were dealt a serious blow in their opening Premier League match of the season when they lost Timber to an injury that has since been confirmed as a knee ligament tear that will require surgery and will keep the Netherlands international out for the remainder of the season.
Having been signed for €40 million from Ajax, there were high hopes that Timber would play a key role for Arsenal this term, highlighted by the fact that he started against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
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Arteta, meanwhile, is willing to give his backing to Walters as a defensive alternative to Timber for the rest of the season.
FootballTransfers has learned that there have been multiple conversations held within the club over the prospect of giving the Hale End kid the opportunity to impress in the first team, with Walters having appeared on the bench multiple times under Arteta.
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Jack Wilshere, head of Arsenal's U18 team, has told Arteta that he believes Walters should be given the chance to impress and is ready for the step up, with some insiders at Arsenal rating the 18-year-old so strongly they believe he can become as good as William Saliba.
Walters played 23 games for the Under-21 side last term, featuring 12 times as a right-back and ten as a centre-half.
Walters wants Arsenal chance
Walters recently revealed his delight at the new deal and his long-term hopes for senior opportunities.
“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given,” Walters said. “I just want to make sure that I start to push on and do what I’ve been doing before, but now to a new level.”
Arsenal have made four signings already this summer, with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Timber joining for over €230m while David Raya has arrived on loan.
The Gunners face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday, with Walters expected in their squad.
