Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, is calling on his players to step up as they prepare to face PSV on March 4, 2025, marking their third match against the Dutch club over the last four seasons. The Gunners have seen their Premier League title hopes dim, currently sitting 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool after failing to find the net in their last two matches, which resulted in one draw and one defeat.
Arteta acknowledged the team's recent struggles but pointed to their performance against Nottingham Forest as evidence of their potential. “We did not get the desired results in the last two matches. Still, we showed superior play against Forest,” he stated. “Players can still raise their game. They need to do their best. If we can do this, our unity will allow us to become a very strong team.”
Arsenal's lack of offensive production has been exacerbated by injuries to key players, namely forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli. The injury woes have affected the team, with striker Kai Havertz also sidelined following his injury during the training camp in Dubai. These setbacks have forced the Gunners to look to lesser-utilized players to step up.
Timber, who is expected to play a pivotal role against PSV, took the podium at the pre-match press conference, expressing determination to perform well. With injuries affecting their strike force, he stated, “We have the quality players in the squad. Although we have many injuries, this presents us with a wonderful challenge to score goals, and I hope we can prove it.”
The 22-year-old Timber is no stranger to challenges, having recovered from his own injury just this season, and has appeared in 36 official matches, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists. The former Ajax player noted the importance of winning against PSV: “We must win tomorrow because we only have two Champions League matches, and there are no second chances.”
While Arsenal's timeline for domestic glory seems bleak, their focus has shifted to the Champions League, the last realistic title chance remaining for the club this season. Timber's optimism reflects the team’s collective spirit to face adversity head-on. “We have gone through many things recently, and I do not see this negatively. This is our challenge, and we must accept it,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports indicate Arsenal is also taking measures to secure the future of William Saliba, who has emerged as a cornerstone of the defense since joining from Saint-Etienne back in 2019. At just 23 years old, Saliba has made 119 official appearances for the club, registering 7 goals and 2 assists. His current contract runs until June 2027, but the club is exploring the possibility of extending it.
Sources reveal the club is considering increasing Saliba's weekly wage from approximately £190,000 to £250,000, which would make him the third highest-paid player on the team, following Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. The goal is to prevent any potential departures of such integral players.
With their defensive situation stable and Saliba committed to the project at Arsenal, the club hopes to re-establish itself as competitive domestically and on Europe's biggest stage.
Facing PSV, who recently defeated Juventus, only adds to the challenge for the Gunners. Arteta understands the historical significance of their opponent and the difficulty of the match, stating, “They are the team who successfully defeated historic Juventus. It’s clear this will be tough.”
Arsenal will look to change their fortunes and narrative against PSV, attempting to salvage something from what has been a tumultuous season marred by injuries and inconsistent performances. With the team's unity and players’ determination leading the charge, the upcoming clash promises to be pivotal.