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Theo Walcott says Mikel Arteta has a player at Arsenal he’d simply hate to play against

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Several Arsenal players deserve to be in the Premier League Team of the Season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been outstanding throughout the campaign, and that is exactly why they are champions of England again.

From Declan Rice in midfield to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at the back, a number of Arsenal stars have played at an elite level all year.

Theo Walcott has included several Gunners players in his Team of the Season too. One of the names he selected was Jurrien Timber.

Jack Wilshere was Jurrien Timber’s favourite Arsenal player growing up. Who was yours?

Image of Jurrien Timber with an inset of Jack Wilshere playing at Arsenal, overlaid a quote from Timber on Wilshere
Credit: Getty Images/ David Price/Arsenal FC/

Theo Walcott says he would have hated facing Jurrien Timber

Timber’s importance to Arsenal has become even more obvious in recent months while he has been sidelined through injury.

The Dutchman brings aggression, athleticism and technical quality to Arsenal’s right-hand side in a way very few defenders can.

Whether he is defending one-v-one situations or stepping into midfield with the ball, Timber makes the Gunners a much better team.

The former Ajax man’s performances this season have clearly impressed Walcott as well.

Jurrien Timber in action for Arsenal against Wolves
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The former Arsenal winger was recently naming his 2025/26 Premier League Team of the Season and decided Timber deserved the right-back spot.

Walcott then explained exactly why he rates the defender so highly.

He said on the Premier League’s social channels: “Right-back, I’m going to go with Timber. I would’ve hated playing against him. He is probably one of the best full-backs in the current generation.”

That is huge praise, especially coming from somebody as dangerous and rapid as Walcott was during his playing days.

Fill in the blank: Jurrien Timber is now worth £__m to Arsenal

Jurrien Timber's transfer value
Credit: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images – Patrick Goosen/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Theo Walcott’s comments explain why Arsenal desperately need Timber fit for PSG

Walcott spent years terrorising defenders with his pace and movement, so if he says he would have hated facing Timber, most wingers in world football today would probably say exactly the same.

That is why Arsenal are so desperate to have the Dutchman available for the Champions League final against PSG.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of the most dangerous wingers in football and will likely line up against Arsenal’s right-back in Budapest.

The Georgian will obviously back himself against anybody, but deep down, he would almost certainly rather face Cristhian Mosquera than a fully fit Timber.

That is no disrespect to Mosquera either, because he has done well whenever called upon.

However, Timber is a completely different level defensively, especially in one-v-one duels against elite wingers.

The good news for Arsenal supporters is that Timber himself has already suggested there is a genuine chance he could still be available for the final.