Mikel Arteta in intriguing tactical experiment during Arsenal win over Barcelona
Mikel Arteta sprung a surprise by deploying Jurrien Timber as a left-back in Arsenal's enthralling 5-3 win over Barcelona in the United States.
The Gunners, who are ramping up their pre-season preparations ahead of the new Premier League campaign, came out on top in an entertaining exhibition match against the Spanish champions. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and a brace from Leandro Trossard were enough to seal victory against Xavi Hernandez' side.
Although Declan Rice missed out, Havertz and Timber - Arsenal's two other summer captures - played the majority of the match. More than a few eyebrows were raised, though, when the latter was handed an unexpected role by Arteta.
The Dutch defender, who is capable of playing as a centre-back and at right-back, was utilised on the opposite flank against Barcelona. And the 22-year-old earned rave reviews from fans on social media for his performance on the left in Los Angeles.
Timber, who was snapped up from Ajax for £38million, impressed earlier in the tour after making his Gunners bow against an MLS All-Stars team coached by Wayne Rooney.
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And Arteta was quick to lauded the defender's versatility after that match. The Spaniard said of Timber: "I think you’ve seen tonight. He’s a really versatile player. 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."
Join the debate! What have you made of Timber so far, Arsenal fans? Let us know here.
Jurrien Timber impressed as a left-back in Arsenal's friendly match against Barcelona (David Price/Arsenal FC)Despite Timber's versatility, the defender has played as a left-back just a handful of times during his career. He was replaced on 70 minutes by Kieran Tierney, who competed for that spot in the team with Oleksandr Zinchenko last year.
Tierney, 26, has been heavily linked with a summer transfer after losing his spot in the team to Zinchenko last term, with Newcastle and his former club, Celtic, understood to be interested in acquiring the Scotland international.
Arteta confirmed prior to Wednesday night's game, though, that Tierney remained a crucial part of his plans. He said: "He is, he is in our plans, and as you said, he came on really well (on Saturday).
"It's not the first time, every time he's played in pre-season, he's been really good. This is why we want to create competition in the team, raise the level of each individual and that's going to be a huge benefit for the team to get to another level."
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