Arsenal have kicked off the season with a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest. The Gunners will be one of the favourites to win the Premier League this season after bottling the League last time.
All was going well with them until disaster struck in the second half.
Jurrien Timber, Arsenal ‘s new signing fell victim to an injury. The club later reported that the Dutch star had ruptured his ACL.
Timber injured on Premier League debut
The 22-year old is a bright and promising talent who joined the London based club from Eredivisie club Ajax for an initial fee of $34 million and signed a 5-year contract. He can play in several positions including right back, centre back or midfielder.
The versatile Dutchman has represented his country 15 times. The player was living his dream of playing for his favourite boyhood club Arsenal but his dream was interrupted by a ruptured ACL.
See you at “The Carpet”
Timber posted a photo in which he was walking with crutches wearing a brace after hurting his knee on his debut.
Besides expressing his disappointment, Timber ended the message by referring to the Emirates Stadium as ‘The Carpet’.
Why “The Carpet”?
By “The Carpet”, Timber was referring to the home stadium of Arsenal, that is, the Emirates. The Gunners shifted to this stadium from the famous Highbury stadium back in 2006.
Timber is not the first player to call it “The Carpet”. Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller referred to the stadium as the carpet in 2015 before a UEFA Champions League clash between Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
He said: “The Arsenal pitch is like the carpet on my living room. Always fun… Well, only if you win.” But there is a reason as to why the home of the Gunners has been given this name.
It is known as “The Carpet” for its excellent playing surface which is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and also good for playing the beautiful game.
Technology used in “The Carpet”
The Emirates stadium uses a technology known as the Desso GrassMaster system. This sophisticated system is a combination of natural grass and artificial fibres which creates a hybrid surface which ensures durability, stability and resiliency.
The system protects the grass roots which allows the pitch to recover after matches. This system was introduced at the stadium in 2015 and replaced the previous pitch which was susceptible to wear and tear.
The quality of the pitch and the groundsmanship behind it has received recognition throughout the world by institutions like the Institute of Groundsmanship.
Just like many other Gunners fans, Jurrien Timber being a fan and player of Arsenal and club heroes Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie, has referred to their home ground with its nickname “The Carpet”.
