Arsenal accelerate search for defensive cover with Saliba and Timber sidelined

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Gunners expected to return with fresh bid for Konsa

Arteta says existing players need to step up for now

Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to sign defensive cover for William Saliba after Mikel Arteta revealed that Jurriën Timber is still “weeks away” from returning to competitive action.

Saliba is set to be sidelined for an extended period after breaking down during the World Cup with a back injury that has been affecting him since last season. After seeing Arsenal lose a second successive friendly as Borussia Dortmund won 3-2 on Sunday to lift the Emirates Cup in a performance that featured several defensive mistakes, Arteta would not be drawn on when the France defender is expected to return but admitted that it would take “some time to heal”.

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