Jurriën Timber proves to be the answer to Arsenal’s left-back problem | Arsenal

Jurriën Timber is making up for lost time. The Dutchman joined Arsenal from Ajax last summer to strengthen the defence. The original plan was for him to play at right back. Ben White needed competition and cover, while Oleksandr Zinchenko was considered first choice on the other flank. It came as a surprise to many when Timber started at left back in the opening match of last season against Nottingham Forest.

Disaster struck in the 2-1 win when Timber suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, requiring surgery. Supporters did not see him in action again until the 2-1 win over Everton on the final day of the season, when Arsenal made his comeback. Timber played only the final 20 minutes of the opening weekend win over Wolves last month, but has started every league game since and last Sunday he played the full 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt for the first time in the North London derby triumph.

Since moving to left-back, Timber has never looked out of his element and Arsenal’s defence has strengthened for the Netherlands international’s emergence as first choice in that role. The team have conceded just one league goal, and that came after being reduced to 10 men against Brighton.

The expensive signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, who can play well at left-back, would suggest that Timber’s playing time in that position would be limited. However, Timber has been producing convincing performances, allowing Mikel Arteta to execute his game plan, which relies on his full-backs pushing through and supporting the only player in his favoured 4-3-3 formation.

Arsenal may not have been the most dominant side in the Premier League this season – 46.7% possession is 11th, though a backs-to-the-wall display at Tottenham helped that figure – but they have proven incredibly difficult to break down, and one of the many reasons is Timber’s progressive approach on and off the ball. As he proved at Tottenham, Timber’s tenacity allows him to aggressively dispossess opponents of the ball, and this allows Arsenal to switch into attack quickly.

The way he handles opponents in one-on-one situations means that few can get a hold of him, and he has been dribbled once in his four Premier League games this season. Add to that his impressive athleticism and strength and he is capable of playing the role of an auxiliary midfielder when Arsenal push forward, with Timber and White routinely pushing forward to operate there. It helps to have a safety net of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the back, and the full-backs have the recovery speed to make up the yards when required.

Crucially, Timber and White are comfortable enough on the ball that when Arsenal need to recycle possession, they’re useful options to maintain dominance in a key area of ​​the pitch. Timber’s desire to get up the pitch – he’s fifth for touches inside the opposition penalty area (nine) and fourth for successful dribbles (four) by Arsenal players in the Premier League – means he brings unpredictability to the team’s approach play, which is essential against teams that sit deep.

Left-back was a problem position for Arsenal last season, with four players – including Timber – starting there in the Premier League. Now it’s Timber’s to lose. He combines Zinchenko’s qualities with the defensive resolve of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior, and adds the drive and determination to provide an alternative route to goal.

Arsenal don’t always look to Timber as a way to stretch defences – 21% of their attacks have come down the left flank this season, the lowest rate in the division – but he’s provided a useful outlet when they struggle to find a path through low blocks. Arsenal monitored Timber for six months before deciding to sign him and while it’s taken a year for him to get going, he’s proving more than worth the wait as Arteta’s side bid to dethrone Manchester City.