Jurrien Timber responds to Arsenal role change with Mikel Arteta set to reap transfer reward

It has not been the season that Jurrien Timber would have imagined when he signed for the club last summer, and the frustration of having to sit back and watch his teammates fight and come so close to a Premier League title will have been immense. However, he returned to the side and aided in their late win against Everton on the final day.

Speaking after the match, he told reporters: "It felt very good. A bit of a double emotion to be honest, because we are not champions. But it was nice after all those months to be back with the guys again."

In the mixed zone after the game, as Timber was speaking you could sense the relief and excitement in his tone and body language. Every answer, even the ones about the disappointment of the title were done with a smile.

It was interesting to see Ben White taken off for the Dutchman. Timber started the season playing at left-back in the system with Thomas Partey used as an unorthodox right-back while Gabriel Magalhaes sat on the bench.

Asked by football.london whether this is an indication of where is future position for the club lies, Timber was keen not to be drawn on specifics. Again, he was simply grateful to be back and playing with his teammates.

"To be fair, at this point, now I am fit, I am happy if I can play," he said. "Just being fit is nice to be there. If the coach wants to use me anywhere, I’ll play."

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Timber's versatility is one of the big reasons why the club were so keen to bring him into the side and having played across the back four throughout his career, no one in the Arsenal backline is safe. A player with great technical skill, defensive prowess and forward-thinking plays will bring something to any position.

The reaction from the crowd was special, and on a day with so many reasons for the atmosphere to be the best it had been all season, the roar when Timber’s name was announced both on the bench and when he came on was certainly one of the loudest.

"That was amazing," he said. "That made me feel really good.

"I had a lot of support this year from the fans, which was really nice. I think everyone knows an ACL injury is not easy, so I am really thankful for that."

Next season is a chance to again take the fight to Manchester City and for Arsenal to try and end what will be a 21-year wait for the Premier League title. "Just being out there with those guys is a big pleasure," Timber added. "I cannot wait for next season."