'We both laughed!' - Arsenal star Jurrien Timber breaks silence on clash with Liverpool ace Cody Gakpo during Gunners' defeat at Anfield

During the game, the duo had a fiery encounter when Timber was penalised for a shirt pull while trying to prevent Gakpo from breaking free. Tempers flared briefly as the Dutchmen remonstrated with the referee, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was also seen reacting angrily on the sidelines.

Despite the momentary tension, Timber insists the incident was fleeting and has left no bad blood. Liverpool ultimately edged the game 1-0, courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational last-minute free kick, a heartbreaking way for Arsenal to leave Merseyside.

Timber was quick to clarify the nature of the confrontation, stressing that it was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

“There was a brief incident between Cody and me,” he said. “Mainly due to a misunderstanding. I was struggling with cramp. We both laughed about it on the plane to the Netherlands. No, Cody and I don’t fight. We’re close to each other, just like we are with all fourteen Premier League players in the Dutch national team. It’s nice to see teammates in almost every league game."

He added that seeing familiar faces from club football makes the Dutch national team environment more enjoyable and cohesive.

“It makes the conversations in the Dutch national team more enjoyable," he said. "Although the defeat at Liverpool remains a bit of a stain. Still, I have complete confidence that with this Arsenal team, we can win the Premier League after two decades.”

Both Timber and Gakpo are now set to share the same dressing room for the Netherlands national team as they prepare for their upcoming clash against Poland on Thursday evening.