Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has called on his teammates to harness the frustration from their recent defeat against Aston Villa and use it as fuel to reignite their Premier League title challenge. The Gunners' impressive 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions came to a halt with a 2-1 loss at Villa Park on Saturday, with Emiliano Buendia scoring the decisive goal in the final moments of the game.
The defeat was a significant blow for Mikel Arteta's side, as Manchester City's victory over Sunderland reduced Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to just two points. The loss also highlighted Arsenal's defensive vulnerabilities, with injuries to key players like Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera forcing Timber to play at center-back.
Despite the setback, Timber remains optimistic and believes the team can learn from the experience. "I think in the end you need to use it as a motivation and in the end as a strength, because it happened and we need to accept it and we need to get better," he said. "At the same time, within the season, I think these moments happen, set-backs, and you just have to step up after that".
Timber acknowledged that the injury crisis in defense has been disruptive to the team's rhythm. "Yes, it is (disruptive)," he admitted. "I think we have a great squad. I think players that come in always do really good, but obviously it's not always easy". He also noted the importance of squad depth, saying, "We can't play every week with the same players and if players go out again, it's tough. But I think it's also part of… it happens within the season. I think it happens at every club. With us it's the same and we just have to manage that with and win our games".
The defeat against Aston Villa saw Arsenal put out a makeshift back four consisting of Ben White, Timber, Pierro Hincapie, and Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners took on Aston Villa without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera. Mosquera is expected to be out for at least six weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in the win against Brentford, joining Gabriel and Saliba on the sidelines.
Timber, who typically plays as a right-back, was deployed in the center due to the absence of several key players. The Netherlands international, who joined Arsenal in July 2023, has established himself as a key member of the squad, known for his versatility, composure, and ball control. He has made 47 appearances for Arsenal, including 30 in the Premier League and 13 in the Champions League.
Arsenal will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next Premier League fixture. Timber's message to his teammates is clear: use the Aston Villa loss as a source of motivation and come back stronger in the upcoming matches. The Gunners will be looking to get their title bid back on track and maintain their position at the top of the league.
