Gary Lineker says people have forgotten that Arsenal’s season would’ve been different if £40m player stayed fit

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Arsenal were so close yet so far in the race for the Premier League title this season.

Indeed, the Gunners ultimately fell short as Manchester City won their fourth title in a row, but things so easily could’ve gone differently.

Arsenal were only one or two different results away from being champions, and speaking on the BBC Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast, Gary Lineker has noted just how different things could’ve been.

Lineker was discussing Jurrien Timber and the impact he could make at Euro 2024, and he said that this season could’ve been different for Arsenal if Timber had stayed fit.

Arsenal’s season would’ve been different with Jurrien Timber fit

Lineker discussed the £40m man and his injuries.

“He did his cruciate didn’t he, Timber? Was it the first or second game of the season?

“Yeah it was the first game of the season wasn’t it? He’s made the Dutch squad now Timber. You forget about that, I wonder if things would’ve been different for Arsenal this season, but they had a wonderful season anyway,”

Timber could’ve been incredible

Lineker is right, Arsenal’s season could’ve been very different if Timber had been fit.

Yes, he only played a few minutes, but in the Community Shield and the opening game against Nottingham Forest, the Dutchman looked like one of Arsenal’s best players.

He slotted into that defence with such ease, and his versatility and ability to play in multiple positions would’ve been huge for Arsenal throughout the season.

Unfortunately, injuries can’t be accounted for, and Arsenal had to reshuffle the pack as they lost Timber on the opening day of the season.

There are always going to be these hypothetical scenarios that could’ve changed the course of any team’s season, but Timber’s injury is a real sliding doors moment for Arsenal this season and their hunt for that first title in 20 years.