What Erik ten Hag said about Jurrien Timber is interesting for Arsenal amid ‘outstanding’ form

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Arsenal are reaping the benefits of signing Jurrien Timber as the Dutchman continues to shine.

Timber was sensational against Sporting CP as the Gunners recently thrashed the Portuguese champions in the Champions League. 

Matchday five was a memorable one for Mikel Arteta’s side, who were desperate to turn things around in Europe.

On an evening where five different players found themselves on the scoresheet, Timber shone brightest despite not finding the net himself. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal ace Jurrien Timber’s life outside of football from his height to four brothers

Jurrien Timber is shining for Arsenal

Timber recovered from an ACL injury that struck him early into his Arsenal career, seeing him miss the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign. 

Back and raring to go, the Netherlands international has displayed no signs of slowing down after his devastating injury, rising as one of the Gunners’ best this season.

Micah Richards commended Timber’s ‘outstanding’ form and the defender’s mental strength to bounce back so efficiently after an extensive absence.  

From being out for the best part of a year to returning to the starting XI, the Dutchman has gone from being rarely seen to giving Arteta a selection headache.

Timber’s form will concern Ben White about his place in the favoured lineup as the former Ajax star continues to go from strength to strength.

Erik ten Hag is a big fan of Timber 

The next steps for Timber are for Arteta to decide as the 23-year-old is displaying form as good as anyone else in the Arsenal squad.

For now, the versatile defender will be focused on building on his stellar start to the campaign however, there’s already been a suggestion regarding what the Arsenal manager should do next.

Speaking at the point of his Ajax exit, former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag expressed his admiration for Timber, hinting at what’s in store in the near future. 

“He [Timber] is another great leader that was trained at Ajax. Besides his football skills, he has the personality to become a captain,” Ten Hag declared.

Arteta praised Timber’s leadership skills earlier this year, having a similar assessment of the Arsenal star to the ex-United manager.

In the Netherlands international, Arsenal don’t just have a player with peak versatility and athleticism but also a budding talent who could one day wear the armband.

Beating Ten Hag to the defender’s signature was a significant win for Arteta who has one of the most in-form fullbacks at his disposal at the Emirates.