Although Mikel Arteta will have been similarly disappointed to lose so emphatically at home yesterday, there’s still so much on the line for Arsenal.
Some of the reaction to the Aston Villa defeat almost feels as if Arsenal’s season has ended, as if Mikel Arteta’s side are not just two points behind Manchester City and facing Bayern Munich in two days.
Yes, losing at home to anyone will hurt, let alone the club’s former manager who was famously unsuccessful, but there’s still reason to be positive.
Arsenal’s league defeat yesterday was their first of the calendar year, in which they’ve already won 10.
The club have contended with a fair amount of injuries this season, and in truth all of this availability is a new challenge for Mikel Arteta.
Perhaps he got his line up wrong yesterday, favouring Gabriel Jesus up top at the expense of Jorginho or Thomas Partey playing in the pivot.
It can’t be said that Arteta often makes mistakes, but the inclusion of Oleksandr Zinchenko also raised question marks, a player who seems out of sync with his teammates.
Jurrien Timber can change everything for Mikel Arteta when he’s back fit for Arsenal
Of course, if Jurrien Timber was fully fit right now, it feels like Arsenal would be in a much stronger position.
It seems like an odd thing to say, considering Timber has played just 50 competitive minutes this season, but he was so key to Arteta’s vision.
Fortunately the £38m-defender is now very close to a return, and could still have a say in the title-race, a player who has been so sorely missed.
Timber seemed intended as Arsenal’s starting left-back this season, a player who could thrive in all four positions at the back.
Jurrien Timber is the perfect mix of Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko
The Dutchman wouldn’t play every game for Arteta on the left, but provided a blend of differing skill-sets of Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jurrien Timber was Arsenal’s new Ben White on the other side.
And to be robbed of a player of that calibre so cruelly due to an injury in the open game of the season shouldn’t be understated.
Timber can change everything for Arteta in these next few weeks if he can first prove his fitness with the under-23s.
Having been out for so long, most players would just wait until next season, but Timber is needed, and he could be Arsenal’s secret weapon.
The title-race isn’t over yet, and Timber could still be crucial to Arsenal clawing back their lead.
All that being said, Alan Shearer has just been heavily praising a player who could be perfect for Arsenal next season.
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