Arsenal fear major injury blow — could end Newcastle United & Celtic transfer interest

Arsenal are waiting to learn the extent of Jurrien Timber’s knee injury after the £38million summer signing was forced off during their Premier League opening day victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Netherlands international’s competitive debut lasted just 50 minutes because of injury. And as per the Daily Mail, the Gunners fear Timber has suffered a significant knee ligament injury that will keep him sidelined for months rather than weeks.

And in a potential domino effect, a lengthy spell on the sidelines for the 22-year-old could impact Kieran Tierney’s immediate future.

Tierney had been expected to leave the Emirates Stadium before the transfer deadline on September 1 after being left out of the 20-man matchday squad against Forest on Saturday. Timber started at left-back with Jakub Kiwior providing cover from the substitutes bench.

Taking Timber out of the equation could see the 26-year-old promoted one place up the pecking order and therefore delay, or even prevent his exit. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is still without Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is recovering muscular injury.

A report from the Daily Telegraph earlier today claimed Newcastle United were interested in signing the Scotland star on loan with either an option or obligation to buy next summer.

Eddie Howe said before the 5-1 win against Aston Villa at St James’ Park that the Magpies must get “creative” in order to recruit a fifth summer signing. Newcastle are battling Financial Fair Play restrictions and have already spent around £130m on Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento.

Speaking about his future last month, Tierney said: “It’s not really up to me. I’ve not had any discussions with the manager and I’m just working hard every day and trying to do as well as I can. I didn’t miss a single game because of injury last season.

“I was available for every match and always ready when called upon. I think everyone would agree that I never give less than 100 percent, whether I’m playing or not.

“You can’t play every single game every year and I don’t expect that. But I still made a lot of appearances last season coming off the bench, whether that was to see games out or help to get a goal, and I did all I could to help.”

Celtic have shown interest in re-signing the player who they sold to the North London club for £25million four years ago.