Mikel Arteta says losing new £40m signing Jurrien Timber to injury is a 'huge blow' - and hints that the club might bring in yet more recruits despite spending over £200m this summer Player picked up the potential ACL injury in opener against Nottingham Forest Timber is anticipated to be on the sidelines for a minimum of six months WATCH: 'It's All Kicking Off' - Episode 1 - Mail Sport's brand new football show By Tamara Prenn For Mailonline Published: 03:49 EDT, 17 August 2023 | Updated: 04:31 EDT, 17 August 2023 e-mail 6 View comments Mikel Arteta has said that losing new signing Jurrien Timber to injury is a 'huge blow' for Arsenal , and has hinted that he may yet look to bring in more recruits before the end of the transfer window . The club's £40million summer signing will undergo knee surgery after suffering a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury in the season opener against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Timber is expected to be out for a large portion of the season, with a minimum of six months on the sidelines anticipated. As a result, Arsenal may be forced to look to the market after a busy summer, which has seen Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and David Raya arrive at the side alongside Timber, to the tune of over £200m. Speaking ahead of the Gunners' match against Crystal Palace on Monday, Arteta was realistic about the possibility of bringing in yet more signings as he lamented the absence of his new defender. Mikel Arteta has called Jurrien Timber's injury 'a huge blow' for his side as their season starts The Spanish manager will now look to the market to potentially bring in squad reinforcements '(It's) a huge blow,' Arteta said of Timber's injury. 'Especially for him after just joining the club. 'We recruited him with clear intentions, and what he was bringing to the team was evident. 'I'm thinking more about the resources in the team to do what we want to do (with regard to potential transfers). But it's true, he was giving us a lot on both sides.' Weeks after booking his move from Ajax, the defender was handed his first competitive start after being named to the starting XI in Arsenal's Community Shield victory against treble-winners Manchester City. But Timber made it to just the 50th minute at the Emirates against Forest before limping off with a potentially season-defining injury. Your browser does not support iframes. In part, Arteta pointed the finger at a packed fixture schedule, saying: 'It was Buendia, it happened to Courtois and Militao. It’s something that in the past where there’s been games and tours. 'With the World Cup and the tours, it’s a lot. It’s too much for the players. When you see the next 36 months for the players it’s better not to look at it. As a club when do you look after them? 'I think for the next 36 months it’s too late. I don’t know who needs to raise a voice on that.' 'We are always open (to potential transfers),' Arteta continued. 'And we have to be open as well to the injuries, but also to react to the market.' But, Arteta added, decisions over transfers are 'never my decision. Kieran Tierney (centre) had fallen down the defensive pecking order and may leave the club 'It's a lot of people. My focus is on getting the best out of the squad right now. That's my aim.' With the signing of Raya from Brentford earlier this week to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale, the Gunners were believed to have concluded their priority business. But as well as injuries, the side may yet have to contend with a number of player exits . Defender Kieran Tierney has fallen down the pecking order and may look to play away this season, having attracted interest from Real Sociedad, and regular starter in defence Gabriel Magalhaes has reportedly been lined up for a big-money move to Saudi Arabia. IT'S ALL KICKING OFF! It's All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season. It is available on MailOnline , Mail+ , YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify Your browser does not support iframes. Share or comment on this article: Mikel Arteta says losing new £40m signing Jurrien Timber to injury is a 'huge blow' - and hints that the club might bring in yet more recruits despite spending over £200m this summer e-mail Add comment Comments 6 Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have not been moderated. View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . Submit Comment Clear Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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