Arteta hits back at critics after ANOTHER injury setback
FT Desk
- 12 Aug 2023 19:40 BST
- 3 min read
Mikel Arteta insists that Jurrien Timber had been cleared to retake the field after seeing Arsenal's new signing fall prey to injury.
Timber lasted barely five minutes into the second half before an apparent calf injury forced him off the field with the Gunners leading 2-0 over Nottingham Forest.
Takehiro Tomiyasu came on for the injured Premier League debutant, while Arsenal endured a late rally from the visitors to clinch a 2-1 win and begin their campaign on a high note.
READ: Mbappe drops Real Madrid transfer hint with Dembele welcome message
The Dutchman had already shown discomfort towards the end of the first half and was cleared to retake the field, and Arteta moved to back that decision.
"The doctors looked at him and they were happy for him to continue, he was as well," the manager told reporters.
"Straight away in the first action of the second half he made a movement and it was a bit funny.
"We took him out straight after and now we have to assess him and see what he has."
Arsenal are yet to reveal the severity of Timber's setback, but the club will hope he will not join a long list of first-teamers currently laid up with injury.
Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mohamed Elneny and Folarin Balogun are all unavailable for the Gunners, who are aiming to mount a serious challenge to Manchester City after running them close for the Premier League title last season.
Praise for 'Role Model' Nketiah
Forward Eddie Nketiah has seen plenty of speculation over his future this summer, but Arteta was delighted with his contribution after he opened the scoring against Forest.
"Delighted for him because he is a role model. He was a player who was so disappointed not to play the final in the absence of Gabi," he added.
"What he did was he came on the field in the final and changed the game. That’s number one. The second one was the way he was training this week was saying ‘gaffer, if you’re not playing me you are blind’.
"A lot of players come and say ‘oh why am I not playing; and you have to try to explain, other players come and say ‘these are the reasons why I deserve to play’. This is exactly what Eddie does."
