Two immediate replacements for Jurrien Timber as Arsenal star leaves Netherlands camp with illness

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Jurrien Timber was the latest Arsenal star to return to North London early from international duty on Saturday.

The Dutchman did not feature in the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarter-final last Thursday due to illness.

Evidently, Timber’s condition is significant enough to warrant concern, the 23-year-old since being allowed to travel back to his club to aid his recovery.

After Ricardo Calafiori suffered a nasty knee injury while playing for Italy, the news comes as another blow to Arteta in what’s been an injury-ravaged season.

However, Arsenal’s glut of defensive options means there are two possible solutions should Timber be out for an extended period of time.

Ben White and Thomas Partey provide Arteta with two options

Ben White is the most obvious solution to fill the void left by Timber.

While White has recently returned from injury himself, the 27-year-old has been Arsenal’s regular right-back since Arteta deployed him there at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

He featured in 37 of Arsenal’s 38 Premier League games last term as the Gunners just missed out on the title.

The only concern for the former England international is his lack of match fitness. Since White returned from knee surgery in February, he has only started one game, the 2-2 draw with PSV in the second leg of the Gunners’ Champions League Round of 16 tie.

The other option available to Arteta is Thomas Partey.

The Spaniard has not been afraid to use the Ghanaian at right-back in the past, allowing him to invert into central midfield when Arsenal have possession of the ball.

Indeed, Partey has featured 13 times in that position this season.

It is unlikely to be a choice preferred by Arsenal fans, however, especially as Arsenal have a better record when Partey starts centrally.

Timber one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season

Whether Arteta goes with White or Partey, both will have a tough time living up to the standards set by Timber this season.

When used at right-back, left-back or even centre-back, Timber has been one of Arsenal’s best performers.

Only Gabriel and William Saliba have featured more times in defence for the Gunners this term, with Timber therefore playing a crucial role in ensuring Arsenal have the best defensive record in the league.

The standards the former Ajax man has set are even more remarkable considering he missed practically the whole of the 2023/24 campaign after suffering an ACL injury on his debut against Nottingham Forest.

However, Timber used his time on the sidelines wisely by studying Arsenal’s style of play, work that is evidently paying off now.