LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Stick or twist? Should Arsenal sign another defender this summer?
by Kenneth Daly
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal in action during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
1. Reason to stick: Others can play in his absence position
The last two transfer windows (January and summer of 2023) were all about squad depth, so perhaps this is the time to use it.
Although Timber himself acted as emergency cover for Zinchenko on Saturday, the Ukrainian is now fully fit again and could be replaced by Jakub Kiwior or Kieran Tierney if necessary.
Furthermore, Tomiyasu offers depth anywhere in the backline while, for the matches in which we dominate possession, Thomas Partey is capable of performing in a nominal right-back role.
Each potential fix can be added to the fact that Timber will return within 12 months, and the Gunners will not want to spend another fortune on someone who may block him out, especially when funds might be better used in other, sparsely populated departments.
In addition to the improved tactical edge, Arteta assembled a versatile team to help us cope with any layoffs, and recent business means we are now suitably equipped for that problem.
Jurrien Timber</a> had become an immediate fan favorite and impressed many on his Gunners debut, helping the team overcome Manchester City and claim a 17th Community Shield.</p>
<p>Inevitably, it also sparks talk of Arsenal re-entering the market for solutions to enrich their backline flexibility, with Mikel Arteta surely keen not to let injuries derail yet another campaign.</p>
<p><strong>Arsenal and Jurrien Timber: Is it time to buy another defender this summer?</strong></p>
<p>So, the big question remains: should Arsenal sign another defender this summer or stick to what they have already got? Here are some arguments to help you decide.</p>
<p><strong>1. Reason to buy: The Timber profile is too important to forego</strong></p>
<p>Arsenal bought Timber for good reason, and it is a big risk to leave that void unfilled.</p>
<p>The 22-year-old offered great versatility to our defense and proved his worth in that regard even in the short period since his arrival, operating at right back in pre-season and on the opposite side against Nottingham Forest last weekend.</p>
<p>This specific quality formed the cornerstone of our interest, with Mikel Arteta admitting on Thursday that Timber was recruited with “clear intentions” and gave the team “very different things” on both sides.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">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. Thanks for making me feel at home and see you at The Carpet 🫶🏾 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#COYG</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://t.co/m1lBqzMKJd">pic.twitter.com/m1lBqzMKJd
<p>— Jurrien Timber (@JurrienTimber) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://twitter.com/JurrienTimber/status/1691816607788503473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>His comments suggest the Dutchman was earmarked for crucial rotation as well as providing an excellent, adaptable option who would help us always to maintain high standards on the pitch irrespective of injuries/suspensions- a legitimate worry that will now resurface.</p>
<p>Margins between success and failure are often small in elite competition. Arsenal cannot afford to leave themselves short.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reason 1 to stick </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135906" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135906 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1600893741.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1600893741.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1600893741-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1600893741-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal in action during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>1. Reason to stick: Others can play in his absence position</strong></p>
<p>The last two transfer windows (January and summer of 2023) were all about squad depth, so perhaps this is the time to use it.</p>
<p>Although Timber himself acted as emergency cover for Zinchenko on Saturday, the Ukrainian is now fully fit again and could be replaced by Jakub Kiwior or Kieran Tierney if necessary.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Tomiyasu offers depth anywhere in the backline while, for the matches in which we dominate possession, Thomas Partey is capable of performing in a nominal right-back role.</p>
<p>Each potential fix can be added to the fact that Timber will return within 12 months, and the Gunners will not want to spend another fortune on someone who may block him out, especially when funds might be better used in other, sparsely populated departments.</p>
<p>In addition to the improved tactical edge, Arteta assembled a versatile team to help us cope with any layoffs, and recent business means we are now suitably equipped for that problem.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reason 2 to buy </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135907" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135907 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1707,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1601842443-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1601842443-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1601842443-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1601842443-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1601842443-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">INGLEWOOD, CA – JULY 26: Jurrien Timber, Sergino Dest battle for the ball during a game between FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Dave Bernal/ISI Photos/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>2. Reason to buy: Further developments could force our hand</strong></p>
<p>Timber’s injury has already prompted some transfer discussion, but any further medical issues/dealings might force Arsenal to explore the market again.</p>
<p>Speculation is growing that Kieran Tierney will leave north London before the window shuts, while Nuno Tavares has drawn interest from across Europe and may soon be on his way to opening-day opponents Nottingham Forest- two deals that would leave the club quite short at left-back.</p>
<p>Beyond those exits, Zinchenko and Tomiyasu are both frequently unavailable (missed 36 games combined since their arrivals via Transfermarkt), and it will induce panic among fans if their fitness is relied upon to manage a hectic fixture schedule.</p>
<p>Bad injury luck is a curse we cannot seem to escape, and Arteta insists on having two players per position. Therefore, it looks like more transfer activity is the only answer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reason 2 to stick </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135909" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135909 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/18/should-arsenal-sign-another-defender-this-summer-transfer-window/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1746,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1479844129-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1746" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1479844129-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1479844129-768x524.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1479844129-1536x1048.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1479844129-2048x1397.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 04: Reuell Walters of Arsenal passes during the FA Youth Cup Semi-Final match between Arsenal U18 and Manchester City U18 at Emirates Stadium on April 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>2. Reason to stick: Hale End can plug the gap</strong></p>
<p>If you can’t use the academy in times like this, when can you?</p>
<p>Of course, Arsenal should refrain from thrusting youngsters into the Premier League spotlight unless it is best for their development, and our lofty ambitions for 2023/24 indicate that depending on inexperienced ‘kids’ is simply not an option.</p>
<p>However, for talents like 18-year-old fullback Reuell Walters, who has been on the fringes for a couple of years and regularly made the bench last term, first-team exposure might prove hugely beneficial as he could acclimatize to ‘Artetaball’ as part of a settled Arsenal team- with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka showing that such integration can work wonders.</p>
<p>Loans are perhaps the favored developmental route, but there must come a point when young players step up from the underage level, and Walters appears to be next in line.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
