Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber expressed his anticipation of rejoining the Gunners’ senior squad following a successful return from injury.
The Dutchman, sidelined for eight months due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during his Premier League debut, made a memorable comeback for Arsenal Under-21s, showcasing why the club invested £38.5 million to acquire him from Ajax.
In his first appearance after 254 days out, Timber made an immediate impact, scoring a spectacular curled effort from the edge of the area against Blackburn. His impressive performance has fueled his ambition to progress to Mikel Arteta’s senior team as he continues his recovery journey.
Timber weighs in on his return.
Timber’s eagerness for a first-team comeback was palpable as he discussed his excitement after the match, emphasizing the joy of returning to the pitch after a challenging hiatus.
When asked whether he was excited about a first-team return after the match, Timber said:
“Oh yeah, I can’t wait. The boys have been texting me already, so it’s going to be fun. It’s been eight months, you know. To be honest, I still don’t really know how to feel, but just being out there feels amazing.
“Even now, it feels strange for me as well. It’s amazing, it’s been eight months. I feel happy, feel blessed to be out there and it was nice scoring a goal as well. I think 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.”
“Even that felt strange,” Timber added on his finish. “I didn’t realise I was even scoring a goal, because I don’t score a lot, maybe that’s changed since my rehab – let’s see! But it felt amazing, it felt like everything we worked for in the eight months out.”
With Arteta rotating between various left-back options throughout the season, Timber’s return to full fitness offers the manager additional defensive flexibility and options.
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While Timber is expected to miss Arsenal’s upcoming fixture against Chelsea, Arteta has expressed confidence in his readiness to return for the final few games of the season.
Despite the setback, Timber’s versatility and readiness to contribute provide a promising outlook for Arsenal’s defensive lineup moving forward.
