Jurrien Timber warns Arsenal over PSV 'cheat code' in Champions League test

Evening Standard

·4 de marzo de 2025

Jurrien Timber warns Arsenal over PSV 'cheat code' in Champions League test

He is a man in the know

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

OneFootball Videos

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Jurrien Timber has warned his Arsenal team-mates about “cheat code” PSV striker Luuk de Jong.

Arsenal are taking on PSV on Tuesday night in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Gunners will come up against PSV captain De Jong, who was the joint-top scorer in the Dutch top flight last season.

Timber, who used to play for Ajax, is aware of the striker’s talents and has warned his team-mates about the threat he carries.

“With Luuk de Jong up front, they almost have some kind of cheat code with headers,” Timber told Prime Video. “He wins almost every header.

“Me vs [Noa] Lang? It’s a key battle. In the Champions League, he is always dangerous, he always creates a lot for PSV. It will be nice.”

Arsenal head to Eindhoven off the back of failing to score in their past two games after suffering a string of injuries in the forward line.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are all out, with Mikel Merino forced to fill in as a striker.

Timber has challenged Arsenal to “change the narrative” around their struggling attack, though, when they head to PSV.

“I think the motivation is there and it’s an amazing league to play in,” said Timber.

“I think we showed as well in the group stages that we did really well and we have a good team. I think tomorrow is a beautiful game to change the narrative and to win.

“I have said it before already in another interview, I think we have so much quality in our group. Of course, we have a lot of injuries, especially upfront. We know that.

“But I think it is a beautiful challenge for us as a team to put our front players, or anyone, in the best position to score goals. Hopefully, we are going to show that tomorrow.”