Jurrien Timber explains Man Utd transfer snub and makes bold Arsenal prediction
Jurrien Timber had a feeling in his bones that Arsenal was the right move for him.
Arsenal beat off strong competition from other clubs including Manchester United to sign the Dutch defender from Ajax for £38.5million. But Timber’s mind was made up long ago due to the feeling from the way Arsenal play, the progress they made last season and his instinct about Mikel Arteta.
Timber, 22, said: “To be honest, I had some options but Arsenal was the only one I chose. It is a beautiful club. Look at last year. Of course, the previous years were beautiful but last year you saw a major step. The team grows and I want to be a part of it.
“Sometimes it is just a feeling. The way they play, the way I talk with the trainer. I just had a good feeling with it.
“We have a strong team. Expectations are high because they had a great season last season and they bought some players. Let’s see what we can do.”
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Timber says playing in the World Cup for the Netherlands and the Champions League for Ajax has given him confidence he will adapt quickly at Arsenal but also believes his new team will flourish back in Europe’s top competition.
He added: “You can already see how you will play against the bigger teams and bigger opponents. I did well. But the World Cup was definitely a nice tournament for me so I got confidence from that.
“We are a good team. It was sad how it ended last season but we have a strong squad. It’s crazy, I’ve played more Champions League games than some of my team-mates but these guys have Premier League experience and that is on a different level.”
Jurrien Timber joined Arsenal alongside Declan Rice (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah insists he will never accept being just a back-up striker to Gabriel Jesus at the Emirates and says no player should have that mentality.
Nketiah said: “I haven’t accepted that and I will never accept that. That’s not my mentality. That’s not why I signed here to sit and be second best. I want to be the best, I want to play and that’s the mentality I have.
"I realise I might not play every game and that’s the coach’s decision but it’s never going to be my mentality to accept not playing and I am going to always push in training to get opportunities to show why I think I should be playing and to give the manager a headache.”
Nketiah started nine Premier League games last season when Jesus was unavailable through injury, but returned to the bench once the Brazilian was fit. He signed a new long-term contract last summer after deciding to stay and fight for his place, instead of leaving for pastures new.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
