Arsenal new player Yourrien Timber has suffered a serious knee injury.

Yourrien Timber was injured in the first half against Nottingham Forest. Credit: Getty Images/Clive Mason

Arsenal fear that Yourrien Timber will be sidelined for several months after suffering a knee injury against Nottingham Forest last Saturday.

Timber, Joining the club from Ajax this summer in a deal that could end up worth around £39m, limped in the second half of Arsenal's first Premier League match.

On Monday afternoon, Arsenal were waiting for a final diagnosis after more examinations and scans, although there are concerns that the path to full fitness for the defender could be a long one.

It was reported in Holland that Timber had injured his anterior cruciate ligament, though Arsenal have not yet confirmed the exact nature of his knee problem.

In a statement on Monday evening, the club said: «In addition to his substitution during our match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Yourrien received comprehensive assessments and scans which confirmed he had suffered a right knee injury.»

“In the coming days, Jurrien will conduct an additional detailed assessment and review with a consultant to assess the full extent of the injury and determine next steps. Further updates will be provided in due course.

«For now, everyone in the club will be focused on supporting Jurrien.»

Whatever the extent of the injury, the injury represents a major setback for Arsenal and deprives them of a player whose versatility and technical ability are seen as key to their team's development.

Timber excelled in pre-season. for his new club and starred as a left-back in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City earlier this month.

The Dutch player started with Saturday's victory over Forest but was substituted minutes after the break. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's head coach, said after the game: «Right in the second half, in the first act, he made a move and it was a little funny, so we took him out right away. Now we have to evaluate him to see what he has.”

Timber played again on the left side of Arsenal's defense against Forest and the club will now look to Oleksandr Zinchenko to be able to return from injury in the coming days.

Zinchenko missed pre-season with a calf problem but has returned to training and is believed to be close to competition again. Arsenal's next match will be away at Crystal Palace on Monday night.

It remains to be seen if Timber's injury will affect the future of left-back Kieran Tierney, who is expected to leave Arsenal for the rest of the day. transfer window.

Newcastle United and Real Sociedad have shown interest in Tierney this summer, but now Arsenal may decide to keep him in the team as an additional defense. Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu, who replaced Timber on Saturday, can also play as a right or left back.