Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has revealed the extent of the pain he endured in the final weeks of the season, admitting he played through injury in the Champions League semi-finals despite knowing he needed surgery.
The 23-year-old, who had only recently returned from a torn ACL that sidelined him for most of the 2023/24 campaign, admitted hat he had been suffering from a persistent ankle issue before picking up a new injury during the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
“I had a scan done with the national team and the conclusion was that I had to undergo surgery at the end of the season,” Timber told Matchday, the talk show hosted by Dutch music group Broederliefde.
“I wanted to keep playing for Arsenal no matter what, but that was difficult.”
Despite the pain, Timber featured in the first leg against PSG but suffered a setback at half-time.
“I got a new injury, in the heel of the same foot,” he said.
? Follow The Jugo Mobile on WhatsApp
“At half-time I thought: how am I going to do this now? I couldn’t even run. But in the second half, I got adrenaline again. In the 80th minute, I knew it was time to come off.”
Timber did not train at all the following week and feared he would miss the second leg. However, with the damage already done and surgery already scheduled, Mikel Arteta opted to keep him involved.
“The coach thinks: Jur has had a scan, it can’t get any worse, make sure you’re ready, but he doesn’t see how much pain I’m in,” Timber said.
Former Ajax defender Timber tested himself the day before the return leg but was still in pain.
“Running didn’t hurt, but slowing down did,” he explained.
“I thought: this isn’t going to work. But adrenaline turns out to be the best drug.”
Timber ultimately played, but Arsenal were eliminated and PSG went on to win the tournament.
The Dutch international has since undergone successful ankle surgery and is currently on holiday, recovering before rejoining Arsenal for pre-season in July.
Arteta’s side are set to begin their Premier League campaign with a blockbuster clash away at Manchester United on Sunday 17 August.
