Interview

Timber on 2024, Brentford and more

Timber point

Jurrien Timber sat down at Sobha Realty Training Centre this week to reflect on 2024, look ahead to 2025 and discuss Wednesday’s trip to Brentford.

Asked for his thoughts on how 2024 went for us, Jurrien spoke about the difficulties of his injury and how special it was to overcome it.

“I started the year still injured, I had just gone on the pitch, I think, at the beginning of 2024,” he said. :So a bit of a rollercoaster but, at the end, also a special year, coming back from injury and playing for Arsenal.

“It wasn’t easy but at the same time I think I felt lucky being here and blessed with the people around me. It was my first year living here, so I got to know a lot of new people, new teammates, I think all of that was very fun, just the part of being injured was hard at times, but I think I came out good.

“I would also say that the people around me, they need to be strong as well, they need to be good to keep me going and they did that so that made it easier for me to keep going.”

Jurrien also spoke about the importance of his family during that time and how much they enjoy going to watch him at Emirates Stadium.

“My mum tries to be there every time, my girlfriend is there every game, even when I didn’t play, she came with me to the games,” he explained. “My brothers try to come if I’m playing but my brothers are also playing and another brother is playing but he’s injured now, but they try to be there every time but it’s not always possible.”

So what does Jurrien hope for in 2025? Quite simply, trophies.

“To win a big prize I think,” he said. “That’s the biggest wish, with the club, of course. That would be amazing. I have a good feeling so let’s see.”

In the immediate future, Jurrien has his eyes on our trip to Brentford, who have a near flawless record at the Gtech Community Stadium this season.

“I think that says enough about how tough playing Brentford is,” he said. “I saw them last year, it’s not easy to win there or just to win against them. So that’s going to be my first time, I’m excited to play and we just have to be at our best again.