Forget Odegaard and Nwaneri, Dutch media thought one Arsenal star was ‘almost perfect’ in PSV win

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Arsenal were rampant against PSV Eindhoven to take a six-goal lead into the second leg at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s quest in the Champions League knockouts couldn’t have started any better as Arsenal beat PSV 7-1 away from home. 

There were six different goalscorers on the night for the Gunners, as goals from Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino and a Martin Odegaard brace settled the scoreline. 

It was a record-breaking night for Arsenal for several reasons, one of which being Nwaneri, who made history as a teenage starter in the Champions League. 

While the 17-year-old earned the headlines once more, it wasn’t the Hale End graduate, nor captain Odegaard, who caught the attention of the Dutch media.

• READ MORE: Five winners and one loser from Arsenal’s Champions League clash with PSV

Jurrien Timber hailed as ‘perfect’ in Arsenal in over PSV Eindhoven

Nwaneri and Odegaard were the standouts in Arsenal’s win over PSV but, it was a different goalscorer who earned rave reviews. 

Upon returning to the Netherlands following his rise at Ajax, Timber was the man of the moment in the eyes of the Dutch media.

In a piece that drew ‘seven conclusions’ from PSV’s thrashing, Voetbal Primeur took some time to applaud the right-back’s display, leading with, “Machine Timber almost the perfect footballer.”

“Where Odegaard was named Man of the Match, that prize could just as well have been awarded to Jurrien Timber.

“His play in the first half was teaching material for every right back. What a machine and what a pawn for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who can put Timber in almost any position. So complete, Timber is almost the perfect footballer.”

It was glowing praise from the Netherlands outlet, who were blown away by what their national team star did on the right side of defence against PSV.

The 23-year-old made an instant mark on his return to his homeland, opening the scoring for Arsenal in the 18th minute of play.

Timber right to earn high praise for Champions League masterclass

While others will rightfully be in the spotlight, Timber deserves applause for how he consistently performs at the highest level.

The Dutchman was brilliant against PSV but truthfully, the 2023 signing has rarely dipped in quality throughout the entire campaign. 

Playing at right-back for the majority of the season, covering for the injury of Ben White, Timber is making it increasingly difficult for the Englishman to find a way back into the starting XI.

As seen above, the former Ajax defender was lively in all areas of the pitch, scoring and winning as many as seven duels, asserting his dominance against PSV.

It was another top display from Timber, who has been one of Arsenal’s unsung heroes this term.