Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal’s season suffered a ‘huge blow’ with injuries to Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey.

Timber arrived at the Emirates from Ajax this summer in a £40m deal, with the club signing the Dutch international to a five-year contract.

The 22-year-old made his debut in the Community Shield win over Manchester City in August, before again being named in the starting XI for the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest the following weekend.

‘It was a huge blow. Everyone could see from day one what he was going to bring to the team.’ Arteta said of Timber’s injury.

Mikel Arteta admitted that injuries to key players have changed the course of Arsenal’s season

Full-back Jurrien Timber arrived at the club from Ajax this summer in a deal worth £40m

‘The versatility, the quality, the leadership. And an ability that we did not have in the backline.’

‘Unfortunately, that’s a very long-term injury. He is doing really well but he is still far from being fit to train with the team. We don’t expect him back anytime soon.’

In addition to losing the former Ajax star, Arteta’s side have also largely been without  Partey this season as the Ghanaian midfielder continues his recovery from injury.

Partey was an integral component as the Gunners came within touching distance of a first Premier League title in nearly two decades last season, but has been limited to just four appearances this campaign.  

‘It was a huge blow, as well, losing Thomas.’ Arteta added.

‘We had other plans as well with him, to become very versatile and unpredictable in our way of playing. We have not had them and that is difficult. 

But the Dutch international would suffer a serious injury in his Premier League debut

Thomas Partey has seen his involvement this season curtailed due to multiple injuries

‘We have them in the building, which is a joy. But we have not had them on the field as much as we wanted.’

The Gunners boss added that despite missing key players through injury, he ensure his players are playing to their strengths as they look to bounce back after suffering successive Premier League defeats for the first time this season.

‘It will depend on the players that we have available,’ he said. 

‘We have to play to the strengths of the players, that is the first thing. I don’t want players to do things that they don’t feel comfortable doing. 

‘That is the first principle that we have to apply. Play everybody to their strengths – we have some really good players, and we will win matches for sure.’