Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber have reached out after Arsenal youngster Louie Copley revealed he'd suffered an ACL tear during his senior Gunners bow this preseason. Copley was substituted during the North London team's 3-1 friendly loss to Real Betis.
The 19-year-old entered the match in the second half but managed only nine minutes before his studs seemingly became stuck in the surface in Dublin. The teenager received attention on the pitch before limping off with help from Arsenal's medical team and heading directly to the locker room.
Copley has confirmed supporters' worst suspicions after sustaining a knee injury during his brief time on the field. It proved a bittersweet evening for the academy graduate, though he remains committed to achieving bigger things, as per football.london.
"Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now, to making my pre season debut for the team I've grown up supporting to finding out I've ruptured my ACL," Copley wrote on Instagram.
"The road ahead won't be easy but I'll give everything to come back stronger and better."
Rice responded to Copley's message with a red heart, while Netherlands international Timber added two hands together in prayer.
Rice isn't expected to return to preseason training until August 10, after England's progression to the FIFA World Cup semi-final. Arteta has indicated he's eager to resume action.
"When I speak to Declan Rice, he is already saying, 'Ok, if I come this day, then I can play then.' That is much more powerful than the programme. We want to adapt to the context, which is different."
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Timber has been participating in training sessions with Arsenal's squad as he targets a return to competitive action later this month while managing a groin issue. The Dutchman understands Copley's situation better than most.
The 25-year-old Timber sustained an ACL injury of his own back in 2023, during his Premier League bow against Nottingham Forest. The multi-positional defender joined the Emirates in a £38 million (around $49.7 million) transfer but was sidelined for eight months.
Copley had just committed to a new contract with the Gunners in January, prior to a temporary spell with League Two team Crawley Town. The youngster had penned his first senior deal with the club less than 12 months earlier, in June 2025, having initially entered the youth system in 2019.
Copley recorded eight starting appearances for Crawley during a period hampered by an ankle problem.
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
