Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber has credited the people around him on and off the pitch for helping him to get back to his best after his ACL injury.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal reacts as the flag goes up for offside ruling out his goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Arsenal’s right-hand side has been incredibly difficult to contain over the last few games, proving the driving force behind a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, a 5-1 win in Lisbon, and a 5-2 victory away to West Ham United.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have rightly taken a lot of the credit for that, with both players providing goals and assists in all three matches.
Yet Jurrien Timber deserves praise too, helping to knit that right side together despite only recently returning from injury. After a season out of action in 2023/24, he’s got up to speed very quickly this year.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal on the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James' Park on November 02, 2024. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
In the absence of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu through injuries of their own, the pressure has been on Timber to perform, and he’s done so.
Following Arsenal’s latest win on Saturday, the defender explained how he’s managed to get back to his best after his injury issues.
“Just the people around me, pushing me always,” Timber said. “I always say ‘you’re as good as the people around you’. So those are the most important people in my life right now, and they help me to get where I am right now.
“[I’m] just trying to push, keep going. To be honest, the players around me are so good that it makes it easier as well to play, for me.
“I feel good, I feel nice, I feel fit, and that’s the most important thing for me.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal looks on as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Until Tomiyasu returns, Arsenal are going to be light at right-back. White won’t be back for months yet, and the current lack of depth in the position was emphasised by the fact 18-year-old Josh Nichols was the most experienced alternative available on Saturday.
Yet Timber is right that his teammates can help to take the pressure off. When Saka and Odegaard are playing so well and getting Arsenal into big early leads, Timber doesn’t have to push quite so hard.
With any luck, that will keep him fit over the festive period.
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