Gravenberch agreed to move to Merseyside having struggled to establish a role with Bayern Munich upon leaving Timber’s side. The pair both graduated out of the academy at AFC Ajax to become essential first-team figures. Arsenal ended Timber’s time in Amsterdam this July.
Timber joined Ajax back in 2014 upon leaving the academy squads of their fierce rivals, PSV Eindhoven. The following eight years saw the 22-year-old play 129 games with Gravenberch for club and country. He has only ever played alongside Brian Brobbey more often with 145.
Gravenberch and Timber have played together for Ajax’s U17, 19, 21 and senior teams, plus the Netherlands’ U17, 19, 21 and senior sides. But the close friends are now rivals with one at Liverpool and the other at Arsenal. Although Gravenberch would love Timber to join him.
“I’d go maybe for a good friend of mine, Jurrien Timber,” Gravenberch has told Sky Sports. “I played my whole life with him, he’s like a brother to me. So, that’s why I’d choose him.”
Arsenal visit Liverpool on December 23 but there will not be any on-field reunion for Timber and Gravenberch. Mikel Arteta has only been able to play the Gunners’ £34.5m, rising up to £38m, recruit twice so far. Timber sustained an ACL injury during his Premier League debut.
Timber would have been a crucial part of Arteta’s plans at Emirates Stadium this season but for the injury. He instantly emerged as a valuable asset upon arriving in north London with a natural ability through their backline. Timber thrived as a left-back in the Community Shield.
Arteta will remain without Timber for much of the campaign after he needed surgery for the ACL injury. The 15-cap Dutchman sustained the blow five minutes into the second half of the opening-day win over Nottingham Forest. It was his first competitive outing at the Emirates.
