Arsenal have already been linked with a couple of defensive reinforcements in the wake of Jurrien Timber’s injury, with Mikel Arteta admitting they’re open to a move.

With Jurrien Timber set to miss the 2023/24 season with an ACL injury, Mikel Arteta has confirmed the club are open to a potential signing in the final weeks of the window.

“We didn’t plan, obviously, with this injury,” Arteta told his press conference on Thursday. “We have to assess now what the options are.

“We are always open and we have to be always open to react if something happens, not only with an injury but with the market as well, and that’s what we are doing.”

In terms of who Arsenal might pursue, there have already been a couple of links over the last day or so.

The Guardian report that it remains to be seen whether Arsenal might rekindle their interest in RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan, though the France u21 international would cost £35m+.

Then Fabrizio Romano reports that Benjamin Pavard could become an option for Arsenal to replace Timber, with no decision yet.

Pavard is expected to leave Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan have him top of their shortlist.

Manchester United had also been interested in Pavard, but that deal is stalling due to the likelihood that Harry Maguire remains with the club.

For now, it seems that the links are tentative and largely built on speculation.

But it appears there are options for Arsenal on the market, if they can negotiate a good deal and raise money through sales.