Arsenal 24Yo “feels good” after ankle surgery
Jurrien Timber has declared himself fit and ready for the new season after undergoing ankle surgery at the end of the last semester and insisting that he now “feels good” when Mikel Artetas is preparing for another title.
Photo via Arsenal.com
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The Dutch defender, who has already overcome a serious cruciate knee injury that traced his first season in England, admitted that his latest setback was less in comparison but still required intervention. “I had an ankle operation at the end of last season to take out something that disturbed me, but I’m doing well now,” he said.
Timber used the summer both to recover and to travel to a large extent, 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 that Arsenal sent a fitness trainer with him on parts of his journey to ensure that his recovery stayed on the right track.
“I had more places to go, but the club said:” It’s too much! “In the beginning I was on crutches so I couldn’t do much, but when I was of crutches I had someone with me.”
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After returning to full training, timber is expected to resume the role that made him such a crucial part of Premier League’s densest defense last season. Arsenal admitted only 34 goals in 38 matches, record seven better than Liverpool, and Timber’s versatility was a central factor.
“We know we defended well and did well as a unit, but we focused on ourselves,” he said. “We have many good defenders and we defend with the whole team. The amount of defenders we have on the back, the competition is fantastic and it makes each other better.”
Now 24, Timber enters his third season in England and has talked openly about how the Arteta’s influence helped him through the long rehabilitation from his knee injury. “With Arteta as our manager comes the best times at Arsenal. The culture he has created within this club, with his vision of top -level football, takes 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 much. He pushes me massively to get the best of myself as a person and as a player.”
This bond was crucial when timber met months of isolation when he recovered from an ACL injury. “Throughout my rehabilitation, I felt so much support and confidence from Arteta. In the beginning, in the latter stages when I made progress and got the chance to train with the squad again, and when my comeback was close, he supported me all the time. The trust and help me feel confident in playing again.”
Arsenal’s opening fixtures include meetings with Manchester UnitedThe Liverpool and Manchester CityA demanding starting timber welcomes. “It’s a tough start, isn’t it? But I think last season we also had a tough start and it can go both roads. If you start well it can be fantastic. That’s the challenge. But I think Arsenal has shown in recent years already that we will always fight for the title.”
(Tagstotranslate) Arsenal (T) Mikel Arteta (T) Jurrien Timber (T) Manchester United (T) Liverpool (T) Manchester City