“Use the pain as motivation” says Timber after Arsenal’s late collapse
Jurriën Timber says Arsenal must turn the sting of their last-second defeat at Aston Villa into fuel for the Premier League title race. The defender admitted the loss hurt but insisted it has to become a source of strength rather than frustration.
Arsenal’s 18 match unbeaten streak in all competitions was shattered at Villa Park when Emiliano Buendia struck with virtually the final kick of the match. The 2-1 defeat arrived on a day when Manchester City closed the gap at the top to two points, adding extra weight to an already damaging evening for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The setback also exposed how stretched Arsenal has become. Timber, normally deployed at right-back, was pushed into a central role due to simultaneous injuries to William Saliba, Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera. The reshuffle highlighted deeper structural issues for a squad that has already battled several fitness concerns this season.
Speaking after the game, Timber stressed the need to respond with purpose. He described the moment as painful but necessary for growth, noting that setbacks are inevitable in a long season filled with fluctuating momentum. He said players must accept the situation and channel it into the next stretch of fixtures.
Timber also acknowledged that Arsenal’s disrupted defensive unit has contributed to an inconsistent rhythm. With multiple center backs unavailable for weeks, he believes the team has been forced to adapt constantly. He pointed out that although squad depth helps, frequent rotations make it difficult to maintain the same level of cohesion.
The defender insisted the situation is not unique, emphasizing that every major club grapples with similar injury cycles. The challenge, he said, is in how the team manages those periods and finds ways to continue winning regardless of personnel changes.
Villa’s dramatic victory further tightened the title picture and signaled their intent to be more than outsiders. Unai Emery’s team have now won nine of their past ten Premier League matches and sit only three points behind Arsenal. Their momentum is undeniable and their belief appears to be building with each result.
Matty Cash, who opened the scoring at Villa Park, urged caution despite the surge. Speaking to the club’s official website, he said the squad must stay grounded and keep approaching each match with the same intensity. He warned that the season is still young and the league table can shift quickly.
Buendia’s last-gasp winner sparked wild scenes at Villa Park and injected fresh energy into a title race that already felt precarious. For Arsenal, the question now becomes whether this painful night becomes a turning point or a symptom of deeper vulnerability.
What comes next will define their response. Arteta’s side entered December with authority but now faces fitness concerns, rising competition and dwindling margins at the top. The coming weeks will reveal whether this loss sharpens their edge or shakes their confidence as the season tightens.