Virgil van Dijk admits one Arsenal defender has been better than him this season

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Virgil van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history.

The Liverpool captain has set standards at the top of the game for nearly a decade, and even at 34, remains one of the most commanding centre-backs in European football.

So when he is asked to name the best Dutch player in the Premier League this season, you might reasonably expect him to name himself.

He did not.

Answering quickfire questions with ViaPlay, Van Dijk was asked to name the standout Dutchman in the top flight in 2025/26.

Without hesitation, he chose Jurrien Timber. A verdict that is hard to dispute given the season the Arsenal right-back has produced.

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Van Dijk could, at a push, have made a case for Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs as a dark horse.

But no other Dutch player in the Premier League has really come close to Timber’s level this season — including, it should be said, Van Dijk himself, given Liverpool’s rather leaky defensive campaign. The man knows.

Timber played 44 games for Arsenal this season, contributing four goals and seven assists — pretty exceptional numbers for a defender.

He brings aggression, athleticism, and technical quality in abundance, and has a telepathic partnership with Bukayo Saka down Arsenal’s right flank.

Patrick Vieira has said Timber would have started for the Invincibles, while Theo Walcott has admitted he is exactly the type of fullback he would have hated to face.

Jurrien Timber’s injury was so costly to Arsenal

Timber’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s side became especially apparent in his absence. He picked up an injury in March and was sorely missed during the back-end of the season.

With Ben White also out, Cristhian Mosquera stepped in at right-back, and as capable as he was in the Champions League final, he conceded the penalty that allowed PSG to equalise and ultimately take the game to a shootout.

When Timber did come on as a substitute in the final, he was not dribbled past once.

The club are keen to reward him with a new contract, with his current deal running until 2028.

Given that Virgil van Dijk, one of the great defenders of his generation, just picked Timber over himself, that feels like the least they can do.