Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber aims to channel the disappointment from their last-minute loss against Aston Villa as motivation to rejuvenate their pursuit of the Premier League title.
The Gunners’ impressive 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions came to an end when Emiliano Buendía scored with the last kick of the match, sealing a 2-1 victory for Villa.
This setback was particularly costly for Mikel Arteta’s team, as their lead at the top of the table was reduced to just two points following Manchester City’s win against Sunderland.
Despite being forced to play as a central defender due to an injury crisis, Timber believes the team can use this loss as a catalyst for improvement.
“In the end, we need to use this loss as motivation and strength. It happened, and we must accept it and improve,” he stated.
“Such setbacks are part of the season, and we have to rise above them.” Timber, who usually plays right-back, found himself in a central role due to injuries affecting William Saliba and Gabriel.
Additionally, Cristhian Mosquera is sidelined for several weeks due to an ankle injury, and Timber acknowledged that these fitness issues have hindered Arsenal’s campaign.
“Yes, it’s been a disruption. We have a strong squad, and players who step in usually perform well, but it’s not always straightforward,” Timber added. “We can’t rely on the same players each week, and injuries make it challenging.”
“Yet, this is a situation every club faces during the season, and we must manage it while striving to win our matches.” Aston Villa’s victory indicated their entry into the title race, as they’ve closed the gap to just three points behind Arsenal.
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Unai Emery’s side has been on fire, winning nine of their last ten Premier League matches. They initially took the lead at Villa Park with a goal from Matty Cash but were equalized by Leandro Trossard early in the second half.
Buendía’s decisive goal sparked jubilant celebrations at the final whistle. Cash expressed on the club’s official website, “We must take it one game at a time, continue working hard, and adapt as needed. Although we’re on a fantastic run, we must remember that it’s not Christmas yet. Consistency is key, and we’ll see where it leads us.”