Arsenal and Dutch international Jurrien Timber has revealed that his club Arsenal can still “change the narrative” of their season. The player said this ahead their Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven in last 16 tie.
The Gunners have suffered many injury blows this season as several of their key attackers are out. While Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are ruled out for the season, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli who are with hamstring injuries may return soon.
Arsenal have failed to score in their last two matches and fallen 13 points behind leaders Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. However, they were one of the standout sides in the Champions League group phase, finishing third on 19 points. They only conceded three goals in all the games they played.
Before Tuesday’s first leg at PSV’s Philips Stadium, Timber said: “I think the motivation is there and it’s an amazing league to play in. I think we showed as well in the group stages that we did really well and we have a good team.” The former Ajax player also said: “I think tomorrow is a beautiful game to change the narrative and to win.”
Timber has played 36 games for Arsenal this season after only making two Premier League appearances last season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 23-year-old does not think his side need to do anything complicated to get the good feeling back.
He said: “I think we have so much quality in our group, of course we have a lot of injuries, especially up front, but it’s a beautiful challenge for us to put our front players – or anyone – to score goals and hopefully we can show that.”
Timber also said: “We have to score tomorrow, we have to win and in the Champions League you only have two games, so you don’t get second chances. So we have to go for it in this game.” “I don’t think of it as a negative, but we have been through a lot – especially in the last couple of weeks.”
“But what I said is I think it is a challenge for us and we just have to take it. Tomorrow is beautiful game to show that and we will definitely show that tomorrow.”
Without their first-choice forwards, Arsenal have been criticised for their recent performances, but Timber remains excited for the challenge of taking on PSV.
