Arsenal star has started a frenzy in the national media, international manager is under pressure

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One Arsenal star is earning the headlines over the international break before even kicking a ball for his country.

Mikel Arteta is patiently waiting for his squad to return from the break fully fit and ready to keep Arsenal’s form going.

Several Arsenal players are in action over the October international break, one of whom is Jurrien Timber. 

Timber joined up with the Netherlands squad, who have been coached by Ronald Koeman for the last two and a half years.

• READ MORE: Jurrien Timber could now do something at Arsenal that hasn’t happened in this century

Dutch media are all talking about Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber

Having earned his debut for the Netherlands at the age of 19 back in 2021, Timber has learned the ropes at international level, having 19 caps for his country so far.

While Timber is Arsenal’s best right-back by some distance, also being one of the Premier League’s best, the defender surprisingly isn’t one of Koeman’s favourites. 

Arsenal fans will be wondering how this is the case, and it’s not only those in North London who have been talking about Timber’s claim to the Dutch starting XI.

In the Netherlands, national media have sent Koeman a warning about the repercussions of keeping Timber away from the starting XI.

In a column for FCUpdate titled: Ronald Koeman’s lack of respect for Jurrien Timber, journalist Mingus Niesten said that overlooking the 24-year-old could expose the manager’s incompetence. 

“If the national coach doesn’t give Timber a single starting spot in this form, it’s a sign of incompetence,” Niesten wrote.

Elsewhere, renowned Het Parool columnist Henk Spaan said that while Koeman is a ‘smart coach’, he can’t continue to bench Timber. 

“Koeman is a pretty smart coach, at least for the short term,” Spaan began.

“Timber is in top form. He’s one of Arsenal’s standouts every week. Timber has earned a starting spot; he certainly has, and he also owes it to his appearance as a substitute in that international.”

There’s reason for the outrage, as during the September international break, Koeman only gave Timber 28 minutes of action over two games. 

Stats reinforce Timber’s strong start to the season

Timber is likely to play at centre-back for the Netherlands if he is to make the starting XI, particularly with Denzel Dumfries as competition on the right.

While Timber is one of the most versatile players in the Arsenal squad, when the 24-year-old plays at right-back, he’s one of the Premier League’s best.

The Dutchman’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season only reinforces such, ranking as one of the very best in an array of areas specific to a fullback’s game. 

It’s staggering to think that Timber has struggled to get into his country’s starting lineup, with all eyes on Koeman to change the narrative.