Arsenal could now sign replacement for £34m ace with ‘fantastic’ player unwanted

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Arsenal could target a replacement for Jurrien Timber in the January transfer window amid fears over his ACL injury, with Cedric Soares also unwanted at Emirates Stadium.

That is according to the Mirror, which claims that Mikel Arteta is prepared to let Cedric leave Arsenal in January. But the Spaniard may be short of options at right-back having potentially lost Timber for the season. Fears are rife that he may not return to action until next summer.

Arteta paid AFC Ajax £34m, plus £4.5m in add-ons, to sign Timber in July to land a versatile defender. He further afforded the 22-year-old a main role in the Arsenal backline throughout pre-season. But Timber sustained an injury on his Premier League debut on the opening day.

Timber may not return from his ACL injury until Arsenal’s next pre-season

Timber suffered an ACL injury early in the second half as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Emirates Stadium in August. He also required surgery for the issue that threatened to rule the Dutchman out for the season. Now, the fear is he will not be back in time for Euro 2024.

Reports by AD now note that the Netherlands may be without Timber during next summer’s UEFA tournament in Germany. It claims that there is little chance in the 15-cap gem being fit in time. Arsenal are determined to avoid rushing Timber back just to aggravate his ACL injury.

Arteta could now target a replacement for Timber with Cedric also unwanted

So, the Mirror now adds that Arsenal may dip into the January transfer window to get Arteta a replacement and let Timber focus on recovering from his injury fully. The Spaniard elected against signing a rushed replacement this summer. Timber would have been key under him.

Arteta has so far persevered with Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko at full-back. Thomas Partey has also provided extra cover at right-back. Cedric – who Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva once called ‘fantastic’ – has only appeared once for only three minutes.

Cedric made his sole appearance in the Arsenal first-team this season as a late substitute at Brentford in the Carabao Cup. The 32-year-old has also turned out once for their Under-21s in the EFL Trophy at Exeter City. So, Arteta is ready to see Cedric leave Arsenal in January.