Arteta highlights Timber's four main strengths after stellar Arsenal debut
Jurrien Timber was handed his first minutes as an Arsenal player during their pre-season clash against the MLS All-Stars and the Dutchman did not disappoint.
While all eyes on were £105million man Declan Rice as the pair were introduced to proceedings at the time, it was actually Timber who stood out from the crowd. Purchased for £38m from Ajax, there are little doubts over the defender's technical quality and his ability to operate as both a traditional and inverted full-back.
After the game, boss Mikel Arteta waxed lyrical over Timber and highlighted four things that the young Netherlands international excels at, which in turn provides an insight into why the Gunners were so keen on landing his signature.
"I think you’ve seen tonight. He’s a really versatile player," Arteta added. "We can use him in different positions within those positions. He gives you the capacity to invert and occupy different spaces. He’s so comfortable on the ball in that phase.
"As well he’s got that aggression in the duels and that dynamism which I really like. You saw with his first action, high press won the ball straight away, won the duel and was ready to go. He is going to be a really important player for us."
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The first quality Arteta pointed out was Timber's versatility, which will come in handy given he has experience at both right-back and central defence.
Jurrien Timber enjoyed a positive Arsenal debutMirror Football is now on Threads! You can follow us here.
As the Arsenal boss mentions, Timber can also be used in a number of different ways within the same role.
It is widely believed that Arteta is planning to deploy the 22-year-old in a similar way to how he uses Oleksandr Zinchenko, with as much emphasis on contributing to the midfield effort and ensuring the Gunners dominate the ball as there is on the defensive side of the job.
Timber's technique speaks for itself, with the Dutchman regarded as one of the best ball-playing defenders in Europe. It is what made him such an attractive prospect to Arsenal's rivals Manchester United last summer.
Jurrien Timber was the subject of praise from boss Mikel Arteta after the gameErik ten Hag worked closely with Timber in Amsterdam and has previously heaped praise on him for his ability to adapt to different roles.
"He [Timber] could even play at left-back or in central midfield," the United manager explained. "He will not immediately be the leader of the Ajax first team, but he dares to speak out immediately and has not been shy in the dressing room. Those are important qualities to get far."
Timber's first action as an Arsenal player on the pitch was to press high and pick the pocket of an opponent, in turn starting an attack in transition. That is the kind of aggression Arteta explained he values post-match and will stand the Gunners in good stead next season.
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