Jurrien Timber is confident that Arsenal’s best years under Mikel Arteta are ahead of them, despite Manchester City pipping them to the Premier League title.
Arteta struck a defiant tone after yesterday’s game, insisting Arsenal were not satisfied with finishing as runners-up in consecutive seasons.
The Arsenal boss challenged his players to “show their teeth” next season, and Timber believes a young squad have their best years ahead of them.
“It definitely feels like that,” he said.
“You feel that this team is not finished yet. It’s a good feeling to have and it is a good place to be with these guys. Obviously, you want to win prizes, you want to win something. So, that is the hunger that will always stay there and also after you win it.
“But we need to win our first one still and, until that time, we will be hungry for sure. I had a feeling we deserved this year to win it, to be fair. I think in a lot of aspects of the game, we were really good this season.
“But, let’s be honest, City are also great. It is always hard, but I think we were close. Next season we are going to try again.”
Timber, who joined Arsenal last summer from Ajax for £38.5million, made his comeback yesterday after suffering a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the season. He played the final 21 minutes and says he is itching to have a big impact next season.
“It felt very good [to be back],” Timber said. “A bit of a double emotion to be honest, because we are not champions.
“It was really hard [being injured], but on the other hand it was also nice to see everything up close with these guys.
“I had a lot of support this year from the fans, which was really nice. I think everyone knows an ACL injury is not easy, so I am really thankful for that. If the coach wants to use me anywhere, I’ll play. I cannot wait for next season.”
Arsenal are set for a busy summer and one issue that needs resolving is Arteta’s contract, which has one year to run.
Arteta confirmed last week he will hold talks over his future and Timber says the players are desperate for him to sign a new deal.
“I think you can tell that Mikel is great,” he said. “He has made a lot of players better and he makes a great team. So, I think Arsenal needs him next season as well.”
