Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber feels the Gunners are building crucial momentum in their quest for their first Premier League title in 20 years.
Following their 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates, Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to seven points. This result came after Mikel Arteta’s side took advantage of Liverpool’s draw at Newcastle, adding to a recent string of victories that have revived their title challenge.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a save during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Timber, who scored his first goal for the club against United on Wednesday night, praised the current positive spirit within the team. He emphasised that each game is vital and that Arsenal must continue to give everything to keep winning.
“Every game is winnable and I think we are gaining some momentum,” Timber said.
“We are playing some really good games, and this one [against United] wasn’t easy, but we still got the three points, which gives us confidence for the next games ahead.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: (EDITORS NOTE: In this photo taken from a remote camera from behind the goal) A general view as Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a save during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
“Every game is important. And you will regret it when you don’t give everything and you lose points. From now on, we just have to win and we’ll see where that brings us.”
The Gunners head into their next fixture at Fulham with renewed confidence after turning around a difficult period of four league games without a win with three successive domestic triumphs.
Arsenal face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday with the Cottagers in fine form. Referred to affectionately by Arsenal fans this season as ‘Arsenal West’ due to the four former Gunners in their side (well, three and a loanee who will soon become a former Gunner), Alex Iwobi scored two of their three goals on Thursday night as they beat Brighton 3-1 to climb to sixth in the table. They are just six points behind Arsenal.
Those goals were Iwobi’s 10th and 11th in 49 games for Fulham, a marked improvement on the nine in 140 games he managed at Everton. This season, he has five goals and three assists in 16 games.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Alex Iwobi of Fulham celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Craven Cottage on December 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
After the game, Iwobi was asked about being in the ‘form of his career’ with five goal involvements in his last four games. “Just being mentally in a good place,” he said. “The support system outside football, my family, my friends, and obviously the manager, my teammates. Everyone gives me the confidence and the licence to just go and express myself, so I feel like, mentally, I’m just in the best place I’ve been in in my life.
Asked about facing his old club in Arsenal this weekend, Iwobi said, “Obviously, today gives us that confidence for Arsenal. Hopefully [we can] get a result there. It’s not just me, there are a few other players who used to play there, so we will see what we can do.”
Emile Smith Rowe will face Arsenal for the first time since his €31.8m summer sale, while Bernd Leno will face his former club for the fifth time since he was sold in 2022 for a bargain €3.6m. He has been on the winning side just once, though, conceding eight goals overall.
Reiss Nelson, who is ineligible to face Arsenal due to his loan status, looks likely to be sidelined for a few weeks, at least, anyway.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Reiss Nelson of Fulham goes down with an injury during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Craven Cottage on December 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Starting his fifth Premier League game in a row, the 24-year-old was replaced after 71 minutes after appearing to pull his hamstring.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Reiss Nelson of Fulham receives medical attention off the pitch during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Craven Cottage on December 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
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