The role that Mikel Arteta now has in mind for Jurrien Timber has been revealed amid Riccardo Calafiori’s impending arrival at Arsenal.
Arsenal fans are still yet to see what Jurrien Timber really has to offer.
The Dutchman joined the North London club from Ajax last season, but an ACL injury on the opening day of the Premier League campaign all but ended his maiden season in English football as soon as it started.
Timber did not feature again for Mikel Arteta’s side until the final game of the season. As such, it remains something of a mystery as to where he features in the manager’s plans, especially as the 23-year-old is such a versatile defender.
The 15-cap Netherlands international can slot in any role across the back line. However, with Ben White established as the starting right-back, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes cemented as the centre-back partnership, and Riccardo Calafiori on his wys to the club, Timber could face a fight for game time despite being back to full fitness.
Arsenal are close to signing Calafiori, who, like Timber, can play in multiple positions. The Italian is adept at both left-back and in the heart of the defence.
Jurrien Timber set for Arsenal starting role
Despite the threat of Calafiori, not to mention the presence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, and Kieran Tierney – who can all also play at left-back – in the squad, this role has been earmarked for Timber.
According to journalist Steve Kay, speaking on KS1 TV: “I’m blessed to know people who are very close to Arsenal, and Timber looks like he is going to start at left-back.”
The former Ajax man certainly has all the attributes required to shine in this role under Arteta. Not only is he defensively solid, but he is also comfortable on the ball, allowing him to drift infield and bolster the midfield, and possesses great attacking instincts, which will see him push forward and support his teammates in the final third.
Riccardo Calafiori to challenge Gabriel Magalhaes for Arsenal role
Meanwhile, on the subject of Calafiori, Kay continued: “The word is that Calafiori is being brought in either as competition for Gabriel or as a replacement for him.”
Saliba may consider Gabriel to be the best centre-back in the Premier League, but Calafiori will represent a real threat to the Brazilian’s starting berth. He will have to be consistently at his best to keep the newcomer out of the team.
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