Arteta: We are very excited to have ‘leader’ Timber back
Mikel Arteta has lauded Jurrien Timber’s leadership qualities and how excited he is to have the fit-again Dutch defender available for the start of the 2024/25 season. Following a tough debut campaign marred by an ACL injury, Timber’s return is a boon for Arsenal.
It’s not easy to come to a big club like Arsenal and set expectations with your performances, only to be sidelined for the rest of the season on your Premier League debut. Timber’s injury was a blow for the Gunners, but his mental resilience and tireless work ethic during his rehabilitation are what Arteta has admired most.
“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,” Arteta said on the club’s official website. “But mentally he is a really tough boy.”
“He is so willing, you can see that in his body language and 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, especially 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.”
“He is a leader. He loves to be on show and a big presence in everything that we do. He is very vocal and extremely gifted technically. He is a great addition to the team.”
- Mikel Arteta is thrilled to have Jurrien Timber, praising his leadership qualities and work ethic.
- Timber’s return after a tough debut season marred by injury is a boost for Arsenal.
- Arteta admires Timber’s mental resilience and dedication during his rehabilitation process.
- Timber is described as a leader, vocal, and technically gifted, making him a valuable addition to the team.
- Timber draws inspiration from successful athletes like Kobe Bryant and Max Verstappen for their winning mentality.
- Timber’s drive to succeed and leadership qualities will bring confidence and motivation to Arsenal.
- While Timber’s return is exciting, there are concerns about the availability of other key players for EURO 2024.
Timber’s Leadership Inspiration
Timber’s dedication to his craft is evident in his inspiration from successful athletes like Kobe Bryant and Max Verstappen. He sees their winning mentality as something he wants to emulate.
“Yeah, I like to look at winners,” Timber said. “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.”
Timber’s drive to succeed, combined with his leadership qualities, will be invaluable for Arsenal. His return will bring a surge of confidence to the team, especially given his ability to inspire and motivate those around him.
A Plan for the EURO 2024 Stars
While Timber’s return is a welcome sight, there are concerns about the availability of other key players who were involved in the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya and William Saliba all reached the final, leaving them with limited time to prepare for the start of the new Premier League season.
Arteta, however, is confident that they will be ready for the season opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17th.
“I do not think so. Let’s see what condition they come back in. All of the messages I have got from them, they are really excited to come back and have a great season again. I do not expect anything else.”
“There is a very well-thought-out plan of integration, but we cannot expect them to go from sunbeds to training at 100 miles per hour. They need to be able to get up to speed. When they come back we will be working closely with them to follow the rhythm of the rest of the boys.”
Injury Concerns for Tierney and Tomiyasu
While Arsenal are looking forward to the return of key players, they are facing injury setbacks with defenders Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Tierney sustained a hamstring injury during Scotland’s group-stage exit at the Euros, while Tomiyasu has been sidelined with a knee issue.
“It is unbelievable, because the kid works so hard,” Arteta said of Tomiyasu. “He had an incident in training this week and we don’t know yet the extent of that injury, but as a precaution we kept him [in England]. We’ll see what happens.”
These injury concerns add a layer of uncertainty to Arsenal’s pre-season preparations. However, Arteta’s focus remains on ensuring that the team is in the best possible shape for the start of the Premier League season, despite these setbacks.
The Importance of Pre-Season
Pre-season is a crucial period for any football team, as it allows players to build fitness, develop tactical understanding, and gel as a unit. The intensity of the upcoming season means that Arsenal’s pre-season preparation is even more vital.
With the return of Timber, the integration of the EURO 2024 stars, and the need to address the injury concerns of Tierney and Tomiyasu, Arteta has a lot to manage in the lead-up to the new campaign.
The Road Ahead
As the new season approaches, Arsenal’s fans will be looking to their team to build on the success of last year. The return of Timber, the integration of the EURO 2024 stars, and the ability to overcome the injury concerns of Tierney and Tomiyasu will all be crucial factors in their quest for success.
The Gunners have shown that they are a team with ambition and potential. With the right blend of leadership, talent, and fitness, they will be well-positioned to compete for top honors in the Premier League and beyond.
