Credit: Arsenal.com
The Dutch defender had a difficult first season with Arsenal after joining from Ajax in July 2023. His Premier League debut was cut short due to a serious injury, forcing him to miss most of the season.
But rather than dwell on the frustration, Timber used this time away from the pitch to regenerate his body and build fitness. He is now back and determined to make up for lost time.
The Gunners are well on their way for yet another title push and shove with the defending Champions, Manchester City. This time around, they will want to come out as victors, to do that they will need their fans to purchase Arsenal tickets from an online resale store and support them.
Timber on how he made the most of his time away
Timber explained that this time off gave him a unique opportunity to understand his new teammates, the playing style of Arsenal, and the challenges of Premier League football.
In an interview with Arsenal media back in February, he shared, “Even though I’m not playing, I can take this moment to become stronger mentally, physically, and also to feel at home with this group of boys.” Timber viewed his injury layoff as a chance to watch the team, figure out how they play, and see how he could fit in once he returned.
When Timber finally returned on the last day of the season against Everton, he was full of energy. You could tell from the way he played that he was eager to make up for all the missed games. In just a few minutes on the pitch, he made two tackles, won a corner, and even got a yellow card! His hunger to contribute and be part of the team again was evident. He said after the game, “I just wanted to be involved, to give my energy, give the team some energy.”
His hunger and passion continued into the new season when he played again on the opening day against Wolves. Timber showed Mikel Arteta that he had used his time off to up his game and was ready to give his all for the team, further making the choice of a centre back pairing more difficult for the manager.
Even though Timber’s injury is now behind him, his desire to learn and grow has not faded. Timber grew up at Dutch giant Ajax, famous for its emphasis on young players’ development. At Ajax, players are taught not just to play football but to understand it scientifically.
Timber explained how he enjoys analyzing the game and listening to coaches who explain their strategies. He shared, “I like the analysis side of the game. It is fun to watch the way people think about the game.”
This analytical mindset has been a key part of Timber’s development. His coaches back at Ajax always reminded him that he must keep improving, no matter how well he is doing. Timber said, “If you stand still in your development, people will catch up.” This lesson has stuck with him, and he continues to apply it, even now in Arsenal.
Timber’s influences and Early days at Ajax
Timber’s football journey started at his hometown club Feyenoord before he moved to Ajax at the age of 13, alongside his twin brother, Quinten. At Ajax, Timber had plenty of role models to look up to, such as Matthijs de Ligt and Daley Blind. These players showed him what it takes to be a great defender. Timber also admired big names like Sergio Ramos and Virgil van Dijk, who were dominating the game when he was coming through the youth ranks.
One of the biggest influences on Timber’s career was John Heitinga, former Ajax and Dutch national team defender who coached Timber in the under19s. Heitinga made Timber the captain of his youth team, which gave him more responsibility and helped him prepare for the professional level. Timber described this experience as one of the most important steps in his journey toward becoming a top player.
Another major influence in Timber’s life has been his family. His twin brother, Quinten, is also a professional footballer and plays for Feyenoord, while their older brother Dylan plays for VVV Venlo. Timber has said that having a family so involved in football has always been a big help for him. His mother has also been a guiding light throughout his career.
Timber did not just focus on football while growing up. He also embraced the importance of education. He believes that training the brain is just as important as training the body. Timber enjoyed learning about various subjects at school, especially history. He explained, “It’s important to train your brain as well as training your body.”
Joining Arsenal and playing in the Premier League has been a new challenge for Timber. However, he says that his training at Ajax helped prepare him for this step. While there are some differences, Timber notes that the way Arsenal approaches football is quite similar to what he was used to at Ajax. His favorite training drills at Arsenal are small-sided games (5 vs 5) similar to what he liked at Ajax too.
Timber is excited about the opportunity to play in one of the world’s most competitive leagues and test himself against the best players. He knows that the Premier League is tough, but his mindset of always learning and improving should help him succeed.
Conclusion
After a pretty tough year, Timber is ready to get back on the pitch and make the most of his time at Arsenal. He has learned valuable lessons about patience, hard work, and staying positive during tough times. Now, Timber is determined to put all that he has learned into practice and become a key player for Arsenal. His presence in the team could be huge, given the team’s quest to be competitive on multiple fronts.
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