David Seaman has issued his verdict on the performance of Jurrien Timber as the Arsenal defender made his long-awaited return from injury for the final day win over Everton on Sunday.
Ultimately, Mikel Arteta‘s men were left to dwell on what might have been, with Arsenal’s victory proving to be in vain as Manchester City clinched the Premier League title with their win over West Ham.
Arsenal did round off the campaign with a 2-1 win over Everton, and there was further positive news with Jurrien Timber coming on just before the final 20 minutes.
Timber, of course, has been sidelined since the opening day of the campaign when he sustained a serious injury challenging Brennan Johnson.
David Seaman reacts as Jurrien Timber returns for Arsenal
It has obviously been a big blow for Arsenal to be without the Dutchman for all of the campaign, particularly with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior having their limitations at left-back.
One of Timber’s first involvements was to pick up a yellow card, but speaking on Seaman Says, David Seaman suggested that he was impressed by the 22-year-old’s display.
“We’re getting better and better. A few new players, a few new signings in the summer. It was great to see Timber getting on the pitch today as well, and looked as good as what he was the first game of the season when he got injured. That was great to see. We need to keep his momentum going,” he said.
What Mikel Arteta said about Dutchman’s impact in Gunners’ training
Mikel Arteta has already spoken about the impact Timber has had since returning from injury. The full-back scored a stunning goal for the under-21s upon his return, away at Blackburn.
Arteta suggested that Timber had helped raise the standards in training earlier this month, and his final day performance will whet the appetite for what may be to come next season.
Arsenal need to use the disappointment of how this season has concluded to inspire them next year, and having Timber in the ranks will certainly help them bounce back when the new campaign arrives.