Jurrien Timber has come out in defence of one of Arsenal’s most talked-about summer signings, offering strong praise despite the player’s mixed start to life in north London.
The Arsenal defender, speaking to Stadium Astro, made it clear that while criticism has come from outside the club, the mood inside the dressing room remains very different. According to Timber, the new arrival is already having an impact — even if the numbers don’t fully reflect it yet.
“Obviously I think he has had a big impact already,” Timber said.
“A lot of new players come in, and I think it’s about us feeding him and giving him the opportunities to do what he does best — scoring. He’s working so hard for the team and improving every game. I think he’s been amazing.”
Those comments highlight a growing contrast between fan opinion and the internal view at Arsenal. While supporters continue to debate the signing’s value and effectiveness, teammates clearly see progress behind the scenes.
Why the scrutiny hasn’t gone away
The scrutiny surrounding the forward is understandable. He arrived at Arsenal with a huge reputation after an explosive spell abroad, where goals came freely and consistently. That form naturally raised expectations — expectations that, so far, have not been fully met in the Premier League.
At times this season, the striker has looked isolated and short of confidence in front of goal. On other occasions, his physical presence, pressing, and movement have hinted at why Arsenal moved for him in the first place. The problem is consistency.
Through 19 Premier League appearances, he has scored five goals and provided no assists, with just three of those goals coming from open play. For a striker signed primarily to finish chances, those numbers have fuelled frustration among sections of the fanbase.
Dressing-room belief vs outside noise
Despite the criticism, Timber’s comments underline an important point: Arsenal’s players believe the system — not just the striker — must improve to get the best out of him.
Arteta’s side often asks their central forward to press aggressively, occupy defenders, and create space for wide players. While that work rarely shows up in goal statistics, it does explain why teammates value his contribution more than the raw numbers suggest.
It also reflects positively on Arsenal’s summer recruitment, with the club convinced this is a signing that will pay off with time rather than instantly.
Verdict so far
From the outside, it’s difficult to call the transfer a clear success at this stage. The goals haven’t arrived at the expected rate, and comparisons to his previous scoring exploits have only intensified the pressure.
But within the Arsenal camp, patience remains strong. If Timber’s words are anything to go by, the belief is that once confidence and chemistry click, the goals will follow.
For now, this remains a transfer defined by promise, pressure, and the need for patience — with the second half of the season likely to shape the final verdict.
