Jurrien Timber is injured on his league debut, and Mikel Arteta responds to criticism.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta maintains that Jurrien Timber was allowed to stay on the field shortly before sustaining an injury.

The Dutchman made his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. He appeared to have picked up an injury after colliding with Brennan Johnson in the first half.

Jurrien Timber is injured on his league debut, and Mikel Arteta responds to criticism.

Timber continued after that incident and was in the Gunners’ starting lineup when they returned from the half-time break. However, it only took a few minutes for an issue to resurface. He slumped to the floor clutching his calf as he received the ball. Timber was then assisted off the field by medical personnel and replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Some were perplexed that the former Ajax player was permitted to continue, especially after his difficulty in the first 45 minutes. Arteta replied to the criticism by claiming that half-time checks proved Timber was fit to play.

“The physio and docs looked at him [Timber] and were happy to continue,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said in his post-match press conference. He made a weird movement right away, in the split second. We’ll have to evaluate him.”

Timber’s issue is just the latest in a long line of issues that the Gunners have had to deal with in the early stages of the season. Gabriel Jesus, the forward, is on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

Meanwhile, the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Folarin Balogun were both missing from the squad to take on Forest on Saturday. The absences did not appear to hamper Arsenal too much as they edged past their opponents – goals coming from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.

The visitors did manage to restore some hope late on through Taiwo Awoniyi, with Arsenal forced to defend stoutly. Arteta had a strong message for his side after seeing them take their foot off the gas.

“You can’t give anything,” the Spaniard continued. But we gave them something today, a goal and some hope. That cannot happen against Premier League teams. This team is extremely well-organized, competitive, and physical, and they don’t require much to score.”

Arsenal will look to extend their winning streak in the Premier League when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in less than a week.