Top five players Arsenal can sign after Jurrien Timber’s long term injury

The Dutch entre-half has been sidelined with a knee injury but the Gunners could find his replacement before the transfer window ends

Disaster struck on the Premier League’s opening weekend, the former Ajax man, Jurrien Timber, picked up an untimely and unfortunate ACL injury against Nottingham Forest on his competitive debut, Arsenal have confirmed that this injury will rule him out for a lengthy period and most likely to be the entire 2023-24 season.

Unlikely to splash the cash, the London-based club has spent over 200 million, including a club-record 105 million on former West Ham captain Declan Rice, Arteta and Arsenal’s sporting director Edu are looking for a replacement for the Dutchman before 1st September (Premier League transfer deadline) to cover Timber’s long term injury.

Here are five potential replacements for Timber and Arsenal:

5. Mohamed Simakan

RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan could be the option to look at for Mikel Arteta, the French defender has been on the list of targets after Timber’s injury. However, he was in Arsenal‘s plan in this transfer window if Timber’s deal would not have been moved forward. He won the DFB-Pokal in 2021-22 and 2022-23 with RB Leipzig and the Supercup in 2023 with RB Leipzig.

The 23-year-old would likely be one of the more costly names on the shortlist, valued at around 40m, and his arrival could depend on outgoings such as Kieran Tierney, Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares who Arsenal might look to get rid off if they have to sign Simakan. He already has an assist in this season for the German club.

4. Ivan Fresneda

Ivan Fresneda could be available for a bargain price this summer, Valladolid’s relegation from LaLiga ensured that his release clause has dropped to £17.2m – a fee Arsenal can pay for a future prospect who can help add strength in depth this season. He can play just like Timber and midfielder Thomas Partey as he likes to invert from the right flank.

Arsenal attempted to sign him in January, but he opted to play the season with the Spanish side. As soon as he opted out, Gunners moved on to Timber and instead splashed out £38.5million to sign the Ajax star and with his injury Edu can try to bring him to the club finally.

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3. Joao Cancelo

Arsenal could look to Manchester City once again after signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer. Joao Cancelo’s miserable last few months at the Etihad will finally be over before this transfer window ends, he will definitely get a club before that.

The Portuguese is in talks with Barcelona over a loan move but the Gunners can hijack this deal and sign him, they had shown interest in Cancelo previously this summer, Timber’s injury can pave way for the Portuguese to join Arteta. The versatile defender can add more flair to this Arsenal side who already have so much flair in the squad.

2. Timothy Castagne

Castagne may not be the name that supporters crave, but it’s a move that does make sense for the Gunners. Leicester‘s relegation opened talks between the Belgian and Arsenal, the Belgian would love to come back to the Premier League and play for Arsenal. Fulham are also interested in the 27-year-old but are yet to meet his valuation giving Arsenal a chance to finally sign him.

A deal for Castagne at the £20m value can be a little risk considering the financial aspect of it. It’s a high-floor, low-ceiling move with the Belgian international adding another layer of solidity and versatility to Arsenal’s defensive depth chart. He is a versatile defender and we all know how much Arteta appreciates versatility, so this move can be fruitful for both the parties involved.

1. Kyle Walker-Peters

Out of all the names mentioned above, Walker-Peters is the one name that makes the most sense. His contract at Southampton expires in 2025 but bringing him to this Arsenal squad can prove to be a like-to-like addition in this Arsenal squad. He is a type of player who might actually be less showy but just the right fit at this time.

The 26-year-old, has made over 120 appearances for his current club Southampton for, and he may be available for a cut-price fee as he seeks a quickfire return to the Premier League after Southampton failed to survive the relegation battle last season.

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