Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has called on his teammates to use the pain of a stoppage-time defeat at Aston Villa as fuel to reignite their Premier League title charge. The Gunners saw their impressive 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions shattered in the cruellest fashion on Sunday.
Villa Park Heartbreak for Title-Chasing Gunners
The match at Villa Park turned into a damaging afternoon for Mikel Arteta's side. After falling behind to a Matty Cash opener, Arsenal levelled early in the second half through Leandro Trossard. The game seemed destined for a draw until the final seconds, when Emiliano Buendia scored with virtually the last kick to secure a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
The result had significant implications at the top of the table. Arsenal's lead was cut to just two points after champions Manchester City secured their own win against Sunderland earlier in the day.
Timber Calls for Motivational Response
Speaking after the match, Jurrien Timber, who was forced to play out of position at centre-back due to an injury crisis, insisted the squad must channel their disappointment. "I think in the end you need to use it as a motivation and in the end as a strength," the Dutchman said. "It happened and we need to accept it and we need to get better. Within the season, I think these moments happen, setbacks, and you just have to step up after that."
Timber highlighted the disruptive impact of injuries, with central defenders William Saliba and Gabriel both sidelined, and Cristhian Mosquera also ruled out for "weeks" with an ankle problem. "Yes, it is disruptive," he admitted. "We have a great squad and players that come in always do really good, but obviously it's not always easy. We just have to manage that and win our games."
Villa Announce Themselves as Genuine Contenders
The victory was a massive statement from Unai Emery's Aston Villa, who are now firmly in the title conversation. The win moved them to within three points of Arsenal at the summit. Villa are in scintillating form, having won nine of their last ten Premier League fixtures.
Match-winner Buendia's late strike sparked wild celebrations at Villa Park, reflecting the growing belief within the club. Defender Matty Cash struck a cautious but optimistic note afterwards, telling the club's official website: "We've got to take it game by game... At the minute, we're on a great run, but we know it's not even Christmas yet. We have to keep being demanding, keep being consistent and we'll see where it takes us."
For Arsenal, the focus now shifts to responding to this setback. As Timber emphasised, the true test of their championship credentials will be how they bounce back from this dramatic Villa Park defeat.
