Arsenal player set for position change on international duty because he’s ‘simply too good’

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Mikel Arteta might take note of what could happen to one of his Arsenal players during the international break.

Several Arsenal players are on October international duty, as the World Cup Qualifiers resume.

The most important thing for the Arsenal manager will be that his players return from duty unscathed, with a heavy workload awaiting the squad when they regroup in North London.

One player whom Arteta will have a close eye on is Jurrien Timber, who has been one of the Gunners’ most important players so far this season. 

• READ MORE: Jurrien Timber says he’s not at all surprised by how good ‘amazing’ Arsenal star has been this season

Jurrien Timber backed to start at centre-back for the Netherlands

Jack Wilshere celebrated Timber’s versatility recently, and now, the Dutchman could showcase his broad skillset on international duty.

The 24-year-old has a lot of work to do over the break, as somehow, he’s still not a starter in Ronald Koeman’s Dutch national team.

Timber’s place outside of Koeman’s favoured XI was a talking point on Dutch podcast, the AD Voetbalpodcast. 

Hosts Maarten Wijffels and Etienne Verhoeff discussed Timber, registering him as a potential successor to either Jan Paul van Hekken or Stefan de Vrij, two centre-backs. 

“I think Jurrien Timber will get the chance, and that’s above Jan Paul van Hekken and Stefan de Vrij,” one host said.

The other responded by calling Timber a ‘huge powerhouse’ and a standout in the Premier League right now.

“Yes, he’s one of the standouts in the Premier League, and he’s a huge powerhouse. Arsenal are also going to break his contract.”

Wijffels and Verhoeff’s conversation suggests it could be that Timber’s way in is at centre-back rather than right-back.

Above anything, the two hosts made it clear that the defender’s time on the bench should be over.

“This is a guy who is simply too good not to play for the Dutch national team. And yes, I’m not saying it will happen, but the chance is there. And Koeman sees that too, of course.” 

Timber’s positional flexibility is overlooked

When watching Timber in action at right-back for Arsenal, it’s difficult to comprehend that before his transfer, the Dutchman was primarily utilised at centre-back.

The former Ajax star is undoubtedly one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t be tested in his former role.

Before joining Arsenal, the last time that Timber had played right-back was during the 2021/22 season, making five appearances on the right for Ajax.

The 24-year-old’s position shift has been a revelation for Arsenal, and now, fans could catch a glimpse of the Netherlands international playing centrally.