JURRIEN TIMBER is ready to make a “beautiful” impact on Arsenal’s title run-in after his long-awaited injury return.
The Dutch full-back signed for the Gunners from Ajax last summer for £34.2m – but suffered a serious knee rupture on the opening day of the campaign back in August.
Eight months on and the 22-year-old is finally ready for first team selection once more, and is even in contention to be in the squad to face Tottenham on Sunday.
Boss Mikel Arteta – who believes Timber can be a transformational figure for the club in future years – wanted the player to get some match experience before a senior comeback.
He has done just that, playing the first half of the under-21s’ 2-2 draw with Blackburn at Ewood Park, scoring a screamer inside eight minutes.
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And with Arsenal chasing a first Premier League title in 20 years in a fierce race with Manchester City and Liverpool, Timber is desperate to make an impact.
He said: “We’re doing really well. The last couple of weeks have been tough, obviously out of the Champions League, but we’re still in the mix, we’re still there.
“I’m glad that I can be a part of it and let’s see what the last couple of weeks can bring. I hope something beautiful. The boys have been texting me. I can’t wait. It will be fun.”
On his goal – a right-footed curler into the top corner – Timber added: “I didn’t realise I was even scoring a goal, because I don’t score a lot, maybe that’s changed since my rehab!”
Since the injury against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on August 12, Timber has undergone extensive rehab work in a bid to get back before the end of this term.
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Arteta has remarked on several occasions how strong Timber now looks, and has been amazed at the Netherlands international’s recovery speed.
Ahead of tonight’s clash against Chelsea, Arteta said: “He's been training really well. He looks ready. He needs that exposure.
“After that, we'll assess whether [the Spurs game] comes at the right time or too fast. We’ll try to get him with us for the final games.
“At the moment, [the Euros] looks really far because he hasn't played any football. So, let's see if he can contribute in an impactful way to our system.”
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Timber said: “It’s been eight months, you know. I still don’t really know how to feel, but just being out there feels amazing. I feel happy, feel blessed to be out there.”
The left-back position is now one of serious strength for Arsenal, but one that will give Arteta serious headaches at the end of this season and the start of the next.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has had a mixed season, impressive with ball at feet but often vulnerable in defence, while Takehiro Tomiyasu – who signed a contract extension until 2026 last month – has slotted in well when needed.
Jakub Kiwior, a central defender by trade, has surprised many with his displays as a makeshift left-back, but was heavily exposed by the pace of Leroy Sane in their Champions League quarter final first leg against Bayern Munich.
