Timber: I Enjoy Listening to Kobe and Verstappen’s Interviews—This Is a Winner’s Mindset

Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber suffered a heavy blow last season—a severe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that kept him out of most of the campaign. However, this Dutch player was not defeated by adversity; instead, he overcame his injuries, returned to the pitch, and is now fully committed to preparing for the new season.

Timber’s road to recovery was filled with challenges, but he found his source of inspiration in the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant and F1 star Max Verstappen. The outstanding performances and relentless pursuit of victory from these two stars have profoundly influenced Timber.

“Winners always draw me in, whether it’s in the NBA or F1. Max Verstappen’s post-race interviews are always very inspiring to me; his conviction to win is something I admire and want to emulate.”

During his rehabilitation, Timber received steadfast support from Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta. Arteta’s trust and encouragement were crucial in Timber’s battle against his injury. “Even at my lowest point, Arteta never gave up on me,” Timber said gratefully. “His support made me feel incredibly warm and gave me the courage to keep going.”

To prepare for the upcoming season, Timber underwent intense training under the scorching California sun, his training gear drenched in sweat, but his eyes were fixed on the prize. Arteta is confident in Timber’s return and believes that the defender’s comeback will inject new energy into the team. “Jurriën is a born winner; you can see it in his behavior and work ethic. Currently, he’s in great shape, and in the coming weeks, we’ll manage his workload carefully as he has just come back from a long period of rest. The high-intensity matches ahead will be a big challenge for him. Nevertheless, we’re very excited about his return.”

Reflecting on the difficulties of last season, Arteta added: “There’s no doubt that Timber went through a tough time. Joining a big club and then suffering a serious injury right when he was about to showcase his abilities—it’s not an easy thing. But his mental strength is very strong, and he has a very supportive environment around him, all of which will help him become an even better player. He’s a leader who likes to be in the spotlight, both on and off the pitch, demonstrating great influence. He’s technically gifted and a valuable asset to our team.”