Phenomenal’ Arsenal player to skip north London derby to attend rival game

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Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber will not be at the north London derby on Sunday as he will skip the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to return to Ajax as they face rivals Feyenoord.

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The 22-year-old left Ajax for Arsenal in July as boss Mikel Arteta spent an initial £34m, plus £4.5m in add-ons.

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His transfer to Emirates Stadium brought the curtain down on a nine-year career in Amsterdam.

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Timber first joined De Godenzonen as a youth prospect back in 2014.

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He left the academy fold at Ajax’s biggest rivals, Feyenoord, to join the Johan Cruyff Arena natives.

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Now, he has chosen their derby this Sunday as a chance to return and ‘say goodbye’ to their fans.

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Timber’s transfer to Arsenal in the summer sales denied him a proper farewell.

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