Jurrien Timber welcomes Arsenal return after seven-month Emirates absence

Jurrien Timber says he is delighted to be playing at the Emirates again after making his first Arsenal home appearance in almost seven months.

The Netherlands defender came off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds United, replacing Ben White as Mikel Arteta changed his side shortly after the equaliser.

Timber had already returned to action away from home, but Saturday brought an opportunity to play in front of Arsenal’s supporters again.

“I’m happy to be back,” he told beIN SPORTS, in comments reported by Daily Cannon. “I haven’t been here in like seven months, playing at home.”

Jurrien Timber looks ahead to Lille

Timber said the mood within the squad was positive and welcomed another home fixture, with Arsenal hosting Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday.

His return to the Emirates followed appearances at Sunderland and Brighton, where he made his first start since his injury comeback.

Having both Timber and White available gives Arteta options at right-back as Arsenal move between domestic and European fixtures.

White started against Leeds and supplied the assist for Riccardo Calafiori’s equaliser. Timber then replaced him in a triple change that also introduced Bruno Guimarães and Viktor Gyökeres.

Guimarães scored the winner seven minutes after Calafiori had cancelled out James Justin’s opener.

Timber also welcomed Arteta’s contract extension, praising the manager’s work at Arsenal and expressing his enthusiasm for the years ahead.