Arsenal will need someone to step up in William Saliba’s absence over the coming weeks.
Saliba went down injured inside the opening few minutes at Anfield and was subsequently forced off, with Cristhian Mosquera coming on to replace him.
After a week of uncertainty, it was revealed on Sunday that the defender will be out of action for around three weeks.
This means he’ll miss key games against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Club after the international break, and could even be unavailable for the clash with Manchester City at the Emirates.
Jurrien Timber played at centre-back for Netherlands vs Lithuania
Jurrien Timber was given 28 minutes off the bench for the Netherlands as they beat Lithuania 3-2 in Kaunas on Sunday.
A brace from Memphis Depay and a first international goal for Quinten Timber cancelled out strikes from Gvidas Gineitis and Edvinas Girdvainis for the home side.
Die Oranje move top of their World Cup qualification group on goal difference, level on points with Poland, having played four matches.
With Denzel Dumfries the preferred right-back option, Timber was named on the bench for Ronald Koeman’s side, with Stefan de Vrij and Virgil van Dijk starting at the heart of the Dutch defence.
However, the Arsenal defender was introduced midway through the second half, replacing de Vrij at centre-half.
Timber produced an excellent cameo display in this role, completing 97% of his 28 attempted passes, playing seven passes into the final third and making three defensive contributions.
Composed in possession and excellent at reading the game, the 24-year-old is a viable centre-back option for the Gunners whilst Saliba is out injured.
What Jurrien Timber said about playing at centre-back
Mosquera impressed at Anfield against Liverpool, and is likely the next man up at right-centre-back after Saliba in Arteta’s pecking order.
However, the Spaniard is still inexperienced, and Arteta may not trust him to play in high-leverage games when he has Ben White and Timber at his disposal.
White could be fit to play against Forest, which gives the Arsenal boss the option to move the Dutchman to centre-back and start the Englishman at right-back.
Timber’s performance against Lithuania shows he’s more than capable in this role, and he believes it’s a position he can excel in.
Asked by Dutch outlet VoetbalPrimeur whether his height means he can’t play centrally, he responded: “No, no. I’ve played in central defence in England too.
“You have to deal with other players, and I play quite a few matches; last year I played fifty. A few games at centre-back, usually at right-back, but also at left-back. I just love it and it makes me happy.”
Timber has been described as ‘brilliant’, and this versatility is certainly a facet that he has to his game that makes him so good.
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