Mikel Arteta has already identified Kieran Tierney Arsenal replacement as latest transfers near
As Arsenal's Premier League title race officially came to an end with defeat at Nottingham Forest last season, Mikel Arteta was instantly clear on the cause. «When you come to April and May, you need 24 players that are available, fit and playing at their best, full of confidence and ready to go,» he said. «For many reasons, we haven’t had that.»
With adding depth high on the agenda, the Gunners went into the transfer market looking to add a defender to their ranks. Season-ending injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba in March derailed their title charge and they were determined not to let such a thing happen again. Jurrien Timber was quickly identified as the man for the job. The Dutch international was capable of playing anywhere across the backline and made a superb start to life in north London, helping to win the Community Shield.
Just 50 minutes into his Premier League debut Timber went down with what later was proven to be an ACL injury. The 22-year-old could well be out for the season, and suddenly Arsenal's defensive numbers are not looking so strong.
This has only been made worse by several departures in the backline. Pablo Mari and Auston Trusty left early in the window, while Kieran Tierney joined Real Sociedad on loan for the season on Sunday. Nuno Tavares is set to follow this trio in leaving the club, with Nottingham Forest closing in on an initial loan deal with an option buy the Portuguese full-back. Cedric and Rob Holding meanwhile are also free to leave.
Should all of these departures happen before the summer transfer window closes on Friday night, then Arsenal could look a little light at the back. Their only orthodox defensive options would be William Saliba, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, Ben White,
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