Playing for Arsenal is an ambition shared by thousands of young footballers around the world, a dream Jurrien Timber realised when he joined us in 2023.
Our Dutch defender missed out on the majority of last season through injury, but has come back with a bang this season, making 47 appearances to take his Arsenal total to 50.
Speaking recently in the Big Interview with the Premier League at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Timber recalled the special feeling of signing for his boyhood club.
“It’s always been a dream to play here, definitely… you can tell they’re really building something here. So the moment they came as well it was like, deep down in my heart, I knew, okay, this is my club, I want to play for them.
“The first conversations, you could tell this is a different level, this is a big club, obviously that summer as well, I think they bought Declan, Kai and David. They were making some big moves and I just wanted to be a part of that really bad.”
Making the move to Arsenal is a big moment in any player’s career, but our full-back has been dreaming of wearing the famous red and white since he and his family were watching us in his early childhood.
“I think my oldest brother was an Arsenal fan, my mum as well, so you just kind of take over. We always watched Arsenal when we were young at home, and then you just become a fan. The players, I always like the style of just the club. Then you get some kind of love for a club as well, which started really young.
Jurrien has been a first-team regular this season, but was limited to just three appearances last season after picking up an ACL injury on his Premier League debut. But, positive as ever, our number 12 saw his recovery period as a learning opportunity, and spoke about the experience of watching from the sidelines.
“I could feel after that period that I have some good people around me, and I think that’s really important. Without them, I couldn’t come back like I’ve done this season. Also, the people around me at the club, but also at home, just talking about faith, believing, holding on to that, that helps.
“You’re looking at the team and you’re like, wow, they’re that good! The level is really high, if I want to join this team, I have to be on the same level.”
When Timber did get back on the pitch, he continued a long-standing tradition of Dutch players representing Arsenal at the highest level, something the defender is very proud of.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing to see, hopefully, I can do that as well! [Dennis] Bergkamp was here at a game, it was a couple of months ago I spoke with him. [Marc} Overmars I know from my time at Ajax, [Robin] van Persie is the head coach at Feyenoord with [his brother] Quinten, I don’t speak to them but I know them well.
"Off the pitch Myles is so nice and kind. You don't see the lion that comes out on the pitch!"
Timber went on to discuss how much he enjoys playing in a defence as formidable as ours, especially with the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly this season.
“It’s incredible. I want to say the kid, but he’s not a kid anymore. I think he’s so mature, he’s special. He does it on the biggest stage, which I know from playing is not easy. He just does it and outside the pitch he’s so nice and kind, you don’t see the lion that comes out inside the pitch, which I really love to see.
“But the whole backline, I think the level is insane. I think we push each other and I’m just lucky to be a part of it.”
Watch the full interview at the top of the article to find out more about Timber’s experiences with the Dutch national team, his hopes for the rest of the season and his time at Ajax.
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