JURRIëN TIMBER: CARABAO CUP VICTORY CAN "SPRINGBOARD" ARSENAL TOWARD A HISTORIC QUADRUPLE
Jurriën Timber reveals how Kai Havertz’s return from a year-long injury has "electrified" the Arsenal squad ahead of Wembley.
Jurriën Timber didn’t hold back on the praise for Kai Havertz after Arsenal punched their ticket to the Carabao Cup final. Havertz, fresh off a long injury layoff, came off the bench and put the game to bed with a stoppage-time goal against Chelsea.
It’s wild to think Havertz spent almost a year sidelined with hamstring and knee problems. Now, he’s scored twice in his last three games. You can feel the lift he gives the squad. “Kai’s presence makes a huge difference, both in the dressing room and out on the pitch,” Timber said. “Everyone can see the quality he brings, and honestly, we were all buzzing for him. He’s a fun guy to have around, not quiet at all, and everyone loves him. When he’s missing, you notice. So, we’re just glad he’s back.”
Timber hopes Havertz soaks up this moment—and that there’s plenty more to come.
Looking ahead, Timber sees the Carabao Cup as more than just a trophy—it could be the confidence boost Arsenal needs for an even bigger season. After beating Chelsea at home, they’re one win away from ending a six-year trophy drought. The vibe around the club is different this year. Arsenal sits six points clear at the top of the Premier League; they breezed through the Champions League group stage, and in just over a week, they’ll host Wigan in the FA Cup.
When someone asked Timber if a Carabao Cup win could lead to more silverware, he didn’t dodge the question: “We haven’t won anything yet, but we’ve put ourselves in a great spot. The Carabao Cup final comes early, so if we get that win, it could push us on for the rest of the season. You can’t always play your absolute best, but this team finds ways to win. We did it away at Chelsea, which is tough, and then at home too. We deserve this.”
You could see the relief and joy when they clinched their spot at Wembley. Timber summed it up pretty well: everyone’s hoping there’s more to celebrate soon.
Next up, Arsenal are back at the Emirates on Saturday against Sunderland. If they win, they could stretch their lead over Manchester City to nine points—at least until City faces Liverpool the following day. The momentum’s building.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
