The Netherlands World Cup camp was 'extremely frustrated' at Arsenal over Mikel Arteta's decision to play Jurrien Timber in the Champions League final, according to reports. Timber had been out for several months with a groin injury but came on as a 66th-minute substitute in the final against PSG in Budapest, making his first appearance in over two months. Arteta insisted Timber was 'fit to play' in the final, which Arsenal lost on penalties. However, just nine days after the final, the 24-year-old right-back was ruled out of the World Cup.
Timber's World Cup hopes dashed
The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed that Timber had 'not recovered sufficiently' to take part in the tournament in a 'medically responsible manner'. They added: 'In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the [friendly] game against Uzbekistan.' Timber was replaced in the squad by Lutsharel Geertruida, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland.
Timber could have been a key player for the Netherlands, having established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world since joining Arsenal from Ajax in 2023. He watched from home as Ronald Koeman's side were knocked out in the round-of-32 by Morocco, having topped Group F after beating Sweden and Tunisia and drawing with Japan. Liverpool's Cody Gakpo appeared to have sent them through, but Morocco scored an injury-time equaliser before winning on penalties.
Frustration at Arteta's decision
According to The Sun, members of the Dutch World Cup camp are 'extremely frustrated' at Arteta's decision to risk Timber against PSG following his injury setback. Timber himself expressed his heartbreak, saying: 'I’m heartbroken to miss the World Cup. Representing my country on the biggest stage is something I’ve always dreamed of, and it’s difficult to accept that injury has taken that opportunity away from me. While this isn’t the path I had hoped for, I trust that God has a plan greater than the one I can see right now.'
Koeman steps down after World Cup exit
Koeman, 63, stepped down as Netherlands manager after the disappointing World Cup exit. He said: 'Looking back on my career, I feel especially proud. I have worked with clubs and people that shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would write history. That didn’t work out. No-one is more disappointed about that than me. The past years have made me realise again that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes.' Koeman has previously revealed that his wife, Bartina, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
