JURRIEN TIMBER is a BEAST! 😱 This is Why Arsenal signs the Netherlands’ and Ajax’ sensation

JURRIEN TIMBER is a BEAST! 😱 This is Why Arsenal signs the Netherlands’ and Ajax’ sensation

Why this transfer is so good

Now, let’s look at how Timber will make Arsenal a much stronger and more versatile team.

We’d like to start with ball control. It may not seem like the most important quality for a defender, but it matters to the Gunners. Jurrien’s ball control is extremely good. Maybe even too good. Looking at what this guy does with the ball, you wonder why he doesn’t play anywhere in the midfield.

After watching a few moments like this, it becomes clear why Arteta wanted this player so badly. Since the Gunners will dominate most games, Jurrien’s skills will be very useful in the attack. In a regular formation, Timber is likely to play as a right-back, turning into a 3rd center-back when the team attacks. Like this.

Still, his presence allows Arsenal to add a threat at the opponent’s goal. He can go higher and take a position in the right half-space. Especially given the presence of Declan Rice, who can back up the defender. The defensive structure can be maintained, for example, by using Martin Odegaard’s workrate.

Last season, Ben White fulfilled this role. He coped with it quite well, but Timber’s ball control is at a higher level, which should only add to the reliability of Arteta’s plans.

Jurrien also solves Arsenal’s problem in case of Zinchenko’s injury. Previously, the loss of the Ukrainian immediately affected the quality of the team’s work with the ball, but the Dutchman will help in this regard. Now, when Tierney starts instead of Zinchenko, Jurrien will play the role of the Ukrainian on the opposite flank. That is, we will see an inverted transition from 4-3-3 to 3-2-4-1.

Timber will be the third player in the squad who can play both on the right side of the defense and in the center. The team also includes White and Tomiyasu. Still, if you’re wondering why Arteta needs a third player of this profile, the answer is simple: depth.

Arsenal failed to compete for the Premier League title last season because of a poor bench. After Saliba’s injury, the team was unable to replace him properly, and you all saw what happened. The humiliation of Rob Holding by Erling Haaland is especially memorable.

Now, if one of the main center-backs is unable to play, the Gunners will have a decent replacement. For instance, Ben White can easily play as a center-back, while Timber will cover the right-back position.

In addition, the presence of both Timber and White at once allows Arteta to create additional plans for the game. For example, use Ben White on the left in defense without worrying about the right side.

If you still had any doubts about Timber’s skills being suited to Arsenal’s game, how about this episode? Here, Jurrien first stops the opposition’s attack, launches a counterattack, and passes to his partner, but doesn’t stop. He continues to move towards the opponent’s goal, eventually receives a ball, and scores. Wow!

Another of Timber’s virtues is his long pass. As expected of a product of the Dutch school, Jurrien can deliver incredible long balls. Arteta will need this skill to diversify the team’s play. And what about short passes? Well, you’d better see for yourself! Any other doubts about the player’s quality?

In Holland he’s been doing very well. He’s very comfortable on the ball and he can create that extra man in midfield by carrying the ball forward. He’s very good in his positioning as well, his passing is very accurate and he has good technique. That’s the type of player that we all like in Holland, – Dutch national team legend Jap Stam said about Timber.

Now, let’s move on to defensive skills. If we look at Jurrien’s tackling, we can highlight certain things: the choice of timing for the tackle, toughness, and accuracy. Even if Timber goes for the slide tackle, it’s often a very calculated move that works well. Our words are confirmed by the fact that in three seasons in the Eredivisie Jurrien got only 3 yellow cards. For a defender, this is an outstanding figure.

Timber has high game intelligence and reads the game well. But even if he can’t predict the opponent’s actions, his reaction time and agility usually allow him to react in time and neutralize the threat. Pace is also one of the defender’s strengths.

As for the disadvantages, the player has no significant weaknesses. Some fans fear that Jurrien may not be able to cope with his duties if he plays as a center-back. They say his height is 179 centimeters, which is too short for a center-back.