Arsenal 24yo “feels good” after ankle surgery | OneFootball

Jurrien Timber has declared himself fit and ready for the new season after undergoing ankle surgery at the end of last term, insisting he now “feels good” as Mikel Arteta’s side prepare for another title push.

Photo via Arsenal.com

The Dutch defender, who has already overcome a serious cruciate knee injury that derailed his first season in England, admitted his latest setback was minor by comparison but still required intervention. “I had an ankle operation at the end of last season to take something out that was bothering me, but I feel good now,” he said.

Timber used the summer both to recover and to travel extensively, a rehabilitation period that included trips to Turkey, Curaçao, Miami, Marbella and Asia. He joked, “I have seen the whole world in two months,” but revealed Arsenal sent a fitness trainer with him on parts of his journey to ensure his recovery stayed on track.

“I had more places to go, but the club said, ‘That is too much!’ At the beginning I was on crutches so I could not do much, but when I was off crutches I had someone with me.”

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Having returned to full training, Timber is expected to resume the role that made him such a crucial part of the Premier League’s tightest defence last season. Arsenal conceded only 34 goals in 38 matches, a record seven better than Liverpool, and Timber’s versatility was a central factor.

“We know we were defending well and doing well as a unit but we were focusing on ourselves,” he said. “We have a lot of good defenders and we defend with the whole team. The amount of defenders we have at the back, the competition is amazing and it makes each other better.”

Now 24, Timber is entering his third season in England and has spoken openly about how Arteta’s influence helped him through the long rehabilitation from his knee injury. “With Arteta as our manager, the best times at Arsenal are coming. The culture he has created within this club, with his vision on football at the top level, is bringing Arsenal to new heights.

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“Arteta is a top coach. He really improves you as a player. In a short period I have learned so very much. He is pushing me massively to get the best out of myself as a person and as a player.”

That bond was crucial when Timber faced months of isolation as he recovered from an ACL injury. “During my entire rehab I felt so much support and trust from Arteta. At the start, in the later stages when I was making progress and had the chance to train with the squad again, and as my comeback was near, he was supporting me all the time. The trust and help made me feel confident to play again.”

Arsenal’s opening fixtures include meetings with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City, a demanding start Timber welcomes. “It is a tough beginning, isn’t it? But I think last season we also had a tough start and it can go both ways. If you start well, it can be amazing. That is the challenge. But I think Arsenal have shown the last couple of years already that we will always be fighting for the title.”