Timber says Arsenal need to be 'perfect' to improve on last season

Jurrien Timber insists Arsenal will need to be "perfect" if they want to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

The Gunners came in second place last term, just two points behind City having also ended the 2022-23 campaign five points and one place behind Pep Guardiola's champions.

The Dutch defender missed most of last season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Arsenal's opening game against Nottingham Forest.

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Timber believes Mikel Arteta's side will need to be at their very best to stop City from winning a fifth consecutive league title.

"You said almost perfect, this season we need to make it perfect," he said.

"Hopefully we are going to end up with some prizes at the end of the season.

"Lets see, we start from here in the USA, we have some nice games ahead and then we go."

Timber joined the north London club from Dutch giants Ajax for a reported PS34 million last summer.

However, the defender did not return from injury until the final game of the campaign, when he came off the bench in Arsenal's 2-1 win against Everton.

The Gunners are currently touring the United States where they will face Premier League rivals Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool ahead of the start of next season.

Despite a difficult start to life in the Premier League, Timber admits he is taking the positives from the situation.

"Obviously it is [a big blow getting injured after moving to Arsenal], especially at the start," he said.

"I have to say, at the same time, I just moved to another club, I moved to Arsenal.

"You have to look at how lucky you are as well, and that is the way I looked at it last year.

"I had time to work with some fantastic physios, I had good people around me and my team-mates were great.

"So eventually it was a good time for me.

"It is never fun to be injured but I tried to make the best out of it."

Arsenal will get their new Premier League campaign underway when they welcome Wolves to The Emirates next month.

Timber admits Arsenal boss Arteta has been very supportive of him since he joined from Ajax.

"Very [supportive] from the start, to be honest," he added.

"Last year when we were here he [Mikel Arteta] was very supportive already.

"And I have to say during my injury as well.

"It helps to have such a manager like him."

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