Arsenal return to European nights this Tuesday evening, as the Gunners prepare to host Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on match day two of the UEFA Champions League. Defender Jurrien Timber spoke to the media ahead of the European challenge, emphasising that Arsenal ‘just need to be ourselves’.
Timber continued, ‘I think a lot of the players have played a lot of big games. Of course the Champions League is a bit different but I don’t need to tell other players how to play or how to prepare for big games. Obviously we need to play with a lot of courage and be who we are.’
Arsenal ‘can achieve amazing things’ says Timber
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal will come up against Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain this Tuesday evening, after Les Parisiens claimed a 1-0 victory over Girona on match day one of the UEFA Champions League. Speaking on Tuesday’s opposition, Timber expressed that he is relishing in the challenge: ‘I haven’t played against PSG but they’re a really good team, really well coached and they have so many world class players. We just have to be prepared and focus on ourselves. I’m just enjoying it right now because I couldn’t play last year.’
Arsenal now prepare to combat a heated title-race in the Premier League, whilst also balancing the challenge of the Champions League. When speaking on the busy schedule ahead, Timber admitted ‘it’s not easy’, whilst also expressing that he knows Arsenal are up for the fight.
The defender expressed, ‘I’ve watched the team from a distance and they were machines last year. We have to be the same this year because our competition, our opponents that want the same, are machines as well. So, we have to be on that level every single time. It’s not easy, but I think we have a really good squad, a good staff and good fans that will push us all the way.‘
Arsenal have faced an onslaught of challenges over recent weeks, having held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw in a battle with 10-men shortly after claiming victory in the North London derby. As new challenges continue to arise for the Gunners amidst injury woes, Timber emphasised that Arsenal ‘have been through a lot in the last few weeks.’
The defender continued, ‘Things happened in matches that we didn’t expect or could be prepared for, but the team showed again and again that we’re ready for everything that’s coming. We have to be if we want to achieve amazing things this season. We have a good, deep squad that can achieve amazing things if we keep going like we are and like the team was already doing for the last two years.’
Speaking on how the side will aim to manage both the physical and mental aspects of the condensed schedule going forward, Timber emphasised that ‘both’ aspects are equally as important when balancing the Premier League search, and the European campaign. He said, ‘The physical stuff is important as well. We played two days ago, we all know how many games we have to play. But mentally it’s also really tough.’
Despite the condensed schedule proving to be a heavy weight on all sides across Europe, Timber recognised that ‘I’m just enjoying it right now because I didn’t play last year, so I’m just enjoying that I’m with the team.’
Embed from Getty Images‘I will give my best always’ says versatile Timber
Timber was drafted to the Gunners with centre back experience, as English fan further expected the Dutch defender to be deployed in more of a right-back role upon his arrival. Though Timber adopted a left-back role before the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori. When asked whether he would ever be open to playing a midfield role for the Gunners, Timber was adamant ‘Of course, anywhere he [Arteta] wants to play me, I will give my best always.’
Speaking more specifically on the code-switch to left-back during Arsenal’s preseason, Timber highlighted ‘It happened in preseason. It was before the Barcelona game, I played in training at left-back. All of a sudden, I was like- Ok there’s a chance I am going to play at left-back tomorrow. That’s ok, just do my thing and enjoy it. I’m just happy to be playing right now. I think it is a good thing to be versatile and playing in both positions.‘
Arsenal go head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League this Tuesday at Emirates Stadium, with proceedings set to head underway at 20:00 BST.
