Big tackles, big games, big wins and the big man upstairs – Jurrien Timber loves them all.
After injury wiped out his first year at Arsenal, the Dutchman has spent the last 12 months establishing himself as the club’s first-choice right back. And if Sunday’s demolition of Sp\*rs wasn’t his finest outing in red and white so far, it must be somewhere very close.
Timber patrolled the right flank like his life depended on it, bullying the absolute f\*ck out of anyone in a white shirt who was brave (or stupid) enough to enter his postcode. It was close to faultless, and he clearly relished every second.
“I’m just trying to get better every time, every game, every day,” he reflected.
“But I think it’s also the environment, the culture we have here. I think everyone is trying to push each other, we have a big squad, so we also have to push each other. But we’re also trying to win something, so I think I’m in the right environment to better myself and become the best version of myself.
“I think the whole team is together. On and off the pitch, we are great together. I think the energy, the togetherness and the unity we need to use and bring to the pitch every game.”
On Sunday’s performance specifically, he continued: “I just enjoyed the whole night. The preparation up to it \[was great\] for me personally, but you can feel it with everyone; they were excited to play that game coming back from the international break.
“The energy was good already, and I think you could sense that from the crowd in the stadium, but also from the team. The way we played and the energy we played with and the passion spoke for itself.”
Tonight, attention shifts to Bayern Munich, Europe’s other in-form powerhouse. Vincent Kompany’s side are strolling the Bundesliga and have carried that momentum into Europe, sitting top of the Champions League group on goal difference just ahead of Arsenal. Unlike Sp\*rs, Bayern will present a far sterner, far more complex test.
“Even if it wasn’t first and second place, I think Bayern Munich is a big club. They have a great team, great players, great coach,” said Timber.
“It’s going to be a tough game either way, and I think two teams that want to press, want to play. So, I think for the fans it’s going to be an exciting game as well.”
With both teams already well-placed to reach the knockout rounds, the jeopardy isn’t quite as sharp as in previous meetings. Even so, the prospect of facing Harry Kane, who may well view this as a chance for revenge on behalf of his old pals down the road, is enough to sharpen Arsenal’s focus.
“I think when you face an opposition where Harry Kane is the striker, he is a topic and you discuss him as defenders,” admitted Timber.
“He is one of the dangerous players. But it’s just the same as any other game, we discuss their players and the way they play and for \[Bayern\] that is the same.
“He’s an amazing striker, everyone knows that. He has so many qualities, he’s been doing it for such a long time already and now, at Bayern Munich, he’s also being one of the best players in the world.
“It’s going to be a nice challenge for us as a team as defenders to stop him tomorrow.”
As ever, Timber’s pre-match routine will include sharing a bible verse on social media, before joining a small group of fellow Christians in the Arsenal dressing room, thought to include Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus, for a pre-game prayer.
“For me, it’s a way of life, my faith, and I try to live by it,” said Timber.
“We pray before games with the team because we have some Christians in our team, which is amazing, and I think it brings unity and understanding because you kind of live the same life. It’s not always as easy. Those conversations are good, and I think it’s an amazing thing to have in our team.”