Julientimber said Arsenal has the opportunity to “change the story” for the season against PSV Eindhoven, and believes he has the motivation to reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the second straight time.
Mikel Arteta's side faces the Dutch champion in the first leg of 16 Thailand on Tuesday night, when he fell out of pace in the Premier League title race after scoring in the last two matches against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Merino is expected to continue as a temporary centre forward, but Dutch defender Timber, who returned to his hometown after joining the company from Ajax in 2023, claims he is confident in making progress after failing to win here in his final four attempts.
“I think the motivation is there,” he said. “We showed that we did really well in the group stage. We have a good team. This is a beautiful game and a chance to change the story and win.”
Timber asked how he could turn things around. “I don't see it as a negative, but I've been through a lot, especially in the last few weeks, but it's a challenge for us and we have to take it. We have to score tomorrow, we have to win, we only have two games in the Champions League, so we can't get a second chance, so we have to ask for it in this game.”
Andrea Berta is understood to be competing to take over Edu Gaspal as Arsenal's sports director after leaving Atletico Madrid in January, and the Italians are considered keen to work in the Premier League. But there may be a busy summer, but Arteta insists that he only sees the immediate challenge before him.
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“It's a game that really brings different energy,” he said. “It's a race to put everyone on the toes. We've already done a lot this season. It's the moment we take another strong step in the direction we want to see.”
