Exclusive: Jurrien Timber reveals all on Arsenal journey, Mikel Arteta's influence, and bold Premier League ambitions

As Arsenal's Premier League championship hopes dwindled in the previous season, a devoted fan from the Netherlands bore witness to the team's downfall. Little did he know that he would soon join the club as their newest defensive signing for a staggering £38m.

Reflecting on those agonizing moments, Jurrien Timber, now proudly donning the Arsenal badge on his chest, expressed his anguish. He vividly recalls the formidable rise of Manchester City, their relentless improvement, and the formidable challenge they posed on the field.

The two games against Man City, where they dropped six points, proved to be crucial. It was difficult to recover from that setback. Despite the outcome, it was enjoyable to witness.

There is some truth to Timber's assertion that he is a devoted Arsenal fan, possibly enduring through challenging times.

When his relocation to north London was finalized last month, Ajax shared a video featuring a young Timber envisioning his future as a player for the Gunners, expressing his long-held admiration for the club.

"That video represents a feeling and a dream - my lifelong ambition has been to join Arsenal," he recollects when prompted about the footage.

"Normally I don't talk about the teams I want to play for. But Arsenal was my favourite club so that's the reason I said it.

"When the choice came this summer, it wasn't a hard choice to make."

Timber has been enlisted by Arsenal to assist them in taking the next leap forward. The Dutch defender currently occupies Arsenal's training ground wearing the number 12 on his shirt, previously worn by William Saliba in the previous season.

The inclusion of the Frenchman had a significant impact on Arsenal, propelling them from fifth place to second. Is Timber destined to be the catalyst that propels them from second to first?

Timber possesses something that Saliba lacks - a league title. In fact, Timber has won two league titles during his tenure at Ajax.

Although the "been-there-done-that" experience is not mandatory in today's era, it would have undoubtedly benefited Arsenal's young team, considering how they faltered in the previous season.

"It's hard to say," Timber says when asked about the skills required to get over the line. "The Eredivisie is different from the Premier League.

In the Dutch league, it was commonly believed that defeating weaker teams was the key to becoming champions. However, in the Premier League, the concept of "small teams" does not exist.

Losing valuable points is not an option. In order to claim the title, a team must possess a combination of good fortune and unwavering consistency in all aspects of their performance.

Timber emphasizes that good fortune played a role in Arsenal's "happy and lucky" win over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday. While this victory may seem like a significant boost for Arsenal's pre-season ambitions, Timber believes that it does not alter their overall objectives. According to Timber, Arsenal is determined to showcase their abilities not only in the Premier League but also in other competitions.

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Arsenal's investment in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Timber (from left to right) exceeds £200m.

"The victory at Wembley contributes positively to the team's morale. Arsenal has already demonstrated their competitiveness last year, displaying a strong squad and talented players."

They competed for the championship, and the anticipation is even greater this year due to their substantial influx of new players. Among them is Timber, who surprised many by debuting as an inverted left-back in his first match.

Arsenal informed the media that he was signed as a right-back, despite Timber primarily playing as a central defender throughout his senior career. It had been almost five years since he last played as a left-back, let alone in an inverted role similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko's last season, during his time with the Ajax reserve team.

However, despite these circumstances, Arsenal fans ultimately voted Timber as the player of the match for his remarkable performance on the left flank, lasting 76 minutes at Wembley.

The young defender brushes off any discussion about his preferred position. "I'd rather not reveal that," he chuckles. "I don't want the coach to become aware of it! To be honest, I am content as long as I can play! It doesn't matter where the coach decides to deploy me. I will strive to give it my all and put forth every ounce of effort."

Sunday's performance solidifies Timber as the perfect player for Arteta - a versatile young talent capable of playing multiple positions on the field. This is precisely why the Gunners manager prioritized signing him and initiated discussions with the defender as early as late May. Timber divulges that Arteta emphasized the importance of a familial environment, highlighting the presence of the training ground chocolate labrador named 'Win.'

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And the young defender has had to think quickly since joining Arteta's set-up - and judging by Sunday's outing at Wembley, it is already paying off.

"It's his thinking and ability to enhance others," Timber remarks about his recently appointed manager. "Although our time together is brief, I swiftly observed a profound impact on my own growth. There is a great deal to acquire in a limited timeframe.

"He approaches the game with a unique perspective, and I am striving to adopt a similar mindset. He perceives the game from a broader standpoint, and I aim to do the same."

"Discover the outcome over the next few months and years."

Catch the Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest match on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season through our live blog. Kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm.