A year on from injury, Arsenal's Timber is ready to start all over

He and the club were cruelly robbed of his services when he suffered a horrendous ACL injury in the opening game of the season.

A man of the match display in the Community Shield win over Manchester City had Arsenal supporters salivating, only for hin to rupture an ACL in the openi g game of the season. A substitute appearance on the final day of their second successive runner-up campaign was a hint of what is yet to come from the 23-year-old.

But judging by the elite sportsmen Timber sets his standards by, only a major trophy will suffice – that and a full 90 minutes of Premier league football.

To drive him in the dark hours of rehab he listened to motivational speeches from the late great Los Angeles Lakers star Bryant and is a disciple of fellow countryman Verstappen’s will-to-win in his pursuit of a fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship.

Timber explained: “I like to look at winners and in the NBA you see them a lot. But also you look at Max Verstappen, you see his interviews sometimes after races and you are like 'wow, this guy is such a big winner' and I love to see that, see his comments that happen after a race.” 

Timber has a pinned exchange with Verstappen on Twitter which further illustrates his single-mindedness.

‘Q: ‘You could've let him by, I mean you are leading the championship.’ 

Max: "I could also stay home? I am here to win, not to finish second. When you're fighting for the win, why can't you fight in a hard way?"

Even closer to home now is Arsenal manager Arteta, who found himself having to guide the talented player through the toughest of introductions to English football having lured him away from a home from home at Ajax.

“He was very honest, from the start last year,” Timber stated. “When we were in pre-season he was very supportive already, and I have to say he was during my injury as well. It helps when you have a manager like that. He gives me advice and tips during a game, or training which positions, what to do but also we have a lot of meetings so I just pay attention to what he says.

“At the start the injury was huge but I try to look at it in a positive way, I came out well, it’s a year later and time goes quick but I enjoyed my time here and I am excited to start again.

“It’s not that hard to stay motivated when you see how they were performing last year, it gets you motivated to join them, to help them.” 

Even without Timber and a regular left-back to call upon , Arsenal took eventual champions Manchester City all the way in the title race. Timber is hoping his return will tip the balance in Arsenal’s favour this time.

He added: “It was almost perfect so this season we need to make it perfect. Hopefully, we are going to end up with some prizes.” 

Timber was speaking at the end of a gruelling training session in the California sun that hit 100 degrees ahead of their three-match run against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool, in America.

One of the questions Arsenal fans tuning in to watch is where Timber will play this season. Fellow versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu looks like missing the start of the campaign with a knee issue and has not travelled to the States. Alex Zinchenko is unlikely to be a starter when all are fit.

Timber just wants to play and aid “I can play in any position. I played a lot at left back this time last year and it went well. I will play wherever the team needs me. I spoke about it with Ben White as well. I think it's good to be versatile just to play more positions. You’re also able to get more minutes when the coach can put you in more places.” 

Arteta highlighted Timber’s winning mentality as an asset almost as great as his ability and the player did not knock back the compliment when it was relayed to him that he could be the winner Arsenal need to go all the way.

“Definitely,” he smiled. “I think we have it a lot already. We have a lot of winners and leadership in the group but it’s always good to help if I can.

“Competition is good for the team. At the end of the day, you want to win prizes and you need everyone for that so I think it’s fun and good for everyone to lift each other up.”

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reminded his side’s supporters and players why he invested heavily in Ajax defender Jurrien Timber this time last year.

He said: “He is a winner, you can see that in his body language, the way he acts, he has worked so hard.

“I think he is in a really good place at the moment, we are going to have to manage him now in the next few weeks because the load he has been able to do in the last few months compared to the next two weeks is very different but we are very excited about him.” 

Reflecting further on last season’s disappointments, Arteta added: “Obviously he had his moments. It is not easy to come to a big club like here and start to set expectations with his performances and then on day one in the Premier League you are out for the season but mentally he is a really tough boy.

“He has a great environment around him and hopefully that will make him a better player.

“He is a leader. He loves to be on show and has a big presence in everything that we do. He is very vocal and extremely gifted technically. He is a great addition to the team.”

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