Jurrien Timber’s injury means ‘pivotal’ star now has chance to save his Arsenal career under Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal have suffered with injuries this season more than ever before.

Jurrien Timber’s ankle surgery is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Mikel Arteta during Arsenal’s injury crisis this season.

Arsenal are hopeful Timber can return for pre-season however, there are no guarantees on the Dutch defender returning for the Gunners tour of Asia where they will play North London rivals Spurs.

Throughout the campaign, Arsenal have had to adapt to difficult situations and players like Mikel Merino have played in unorthodox positions. Timber’s injury could provide one player with an opportunity to get back in Arteta’s plans.

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Ben White needs a good pre-season for Arsenal

Ben White has been superb for the Gunners since joining in a £50m deal from Brighton in the summer of 2021, described as a ‘pivotal and important’ player for the club.

However, knee surgery back in November has disrupted the England international’s season and he has not looked the same player upon return.

Fans criticised White against Bournemouth earlier this month and it seems that he is lacking sharpness in his actions both defensively and going forward.

With team mate Timber injured, White could now have a pre-season where he is first choice in the right back spot and has a chance to find the spark that we all know he has.

White’s Arsenal future has been questioned with his struggle to dislodge Timber at right back but Arteta will be hoping to call upon both players next season given the differing qualities they possess.

Jurrien Timber and Ben White are different options for Arsenal

With both players fit and firing next season, there is the opportunity to rotate between the duo of Timber and White next season depending on the context of the opposition.

White is more of an attacking threat and works well with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, whereas Timber is arguably one of the best around at defending one v one situations.

There is no doubt when both players are fully fit, Arsenal have two of the best right backs around and it is up to Arteta to utilise them correctly next season.

If the Gunners are going to dominate a game and need an attacking spark, White is the man from fullback however, in the tighter games, Timber’s defensive ability should be the way to go.