Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber says his return to playing after an anterior cruciate ligament injury “feels amazing”.
Timber played 45 minutes for Arsenal Under-21s on Monday evening as they drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League 2.
The 22-year-old started at left-back and opened the scoring for Arsenal, curling a shot with his right foot into the top corner eight minutes into the game.
It was Timber’s first competitive action since suffering the ACL injury in his right knee just 50 minutes into the first game of the Premier League season.
“I still don’t really know how to feel but just being out there feels amazing,” Timber said.
“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.
“Even that felt strange! 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.”
An absolute beauty from Timber 🔥
📺 Tune in LIVE on https://t.co/l2yjijDAhy #AFCU21 | #PL2 pic.twitter.com/ORnISJtYrO
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) April 22, 2024
Timber added that he “can’t wait” to be around the first team, who have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League over Liverpool with Tuesday’s home game against Chelsea. “I think we’re doing really well,” he added. “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.”
Timber joined Arsenal from Ajax in the summer for £34million ($42m) and signed a contract until June 2028.
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Could Timber contribute in Arsenal’s remaining games this season?
Head coach Mikel Arteta played down Timber’s chances of making the squad for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, saying that it would be a “very quick step”.
But if the Dutch defender is fit to return the following week or play a cameo role in games then his ability in possession may prove as useful as his defensive strengths. Before his injury, Timber had played left-back and right-back for Arsenal, showing the intelligence to invert on both sides.
He can also play as a centre-back, which was his natural position at Ajax, but he could offer Arteta the perfect blend at left-back — a position which is currently being rotated between Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
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(David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)