Swift Scout: How Jurrien Timber fits in at Arsenal
Alfie Biggs analyses the Netherlands international.
Arsenal’s ultimate downfall last season was their lack of depth, and how they failed to recover from William Saliba’s untimely injury. But, in the incoming Jurrien Timber — an incredibly versatile defender — they’ve taken strides to address the issue as they look to prevent a similar collapse in 2023-24.
Apart from Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White (38 each), no Arsenal defenders made more than 27 Premier League appearances in 2022-23. It’s a competitive cohort of defenders (Gabriel, Saliba, White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and, soon, Timber) and apart from Tierney, Zinchenko and Gabriel, all the other five have the capacity to play at least two positions comfortably within a back four. Versatility is clearly something that Mikel Arteta craves.
Positionally, White is probably the most apt comparison to Timber. However, Timber is a much stronger carrier of the ball and more comfortable in central areas. White can overlap well and receive the ball in wide areas comfortably while also being able to be aerially superior; thus being able to adapt seamlessly to the opposition or occasion.
Timber’s scout report, compiled through watching him over the past season, shows he spent the majority of his Eredivisie fixtures playing as either the right-sided centre-back or right-back.
Timber also stacks up well when compared to Saliba.
TIMBER’S PROFILE
IN POSSESSION
Positioning
Timber has good awareness and is proactive in scanning.
Strong recovery pace, making him a good sweeper.
Steps out aggressively, but this leaves him vulnerable to take-ons.
Dribbling
Timer is excellent on the ball in tight spaces, with composed control and a good level of agility.
Conservative in his own half — he looks to play safe.
When in advanced areas he is braver and has the ability to beat players.
Better in central areas — he is not as comfortable dribbling out wide.
Passing
Press resistant, though doesn’t always look to progress. He often attracts pressure then gives a pass square or behind.
Could this be down to a lack of confidence or managerial instruction?
Once in more advanced areas he often looks to play more progressive passes.
Good range and vision, and has a tidy cutback in his locker when playing at full-back.
OUT OF POSSESSION
Ball winning
Imposing and aggressive but, importantly, controlled.
He wins the ball cleanly.
Handles dribblers well in one-on-one situations.
Timber enjoys going to ground, in a similar vein to Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Aerial
Timber needs to improve in this area.
He is often out-jumped and out-muscled.
Seems to lack confidence/aggression when competing for aerials.
Undoubtedly, Timber has the potential to be a useful player for any elite side.
Nevertheless, selecting the role in which he will be used may lead to difficulties.
I believe there are three different ways Arteta can place Timber into this current Arsenal side.
1. CENTRE-BACK
Timber would begin in a traditional right centre-back role, most likely with White at right-back and Gabriel at to his other side.
When in possession in this system, the 22-year-old would continue to fit in at RCB, which could be waste of his talents and would negate the positives he has the potential to bring.
Additionally, this writer is not certain of his ability to defend as a centre-back at a higher level; even in the Eredivisie he struggled at times and was often targeted. Playing alongside someone like Gabriel or Saliba may prevent these deficiencies to a point, but it is not fully convincing.
2. RIGHT-BACK
An alternative could be selecting Timber as a right-back, nominally within a back four alongside Zinchenko, Gabriel and Saliba.
In possession, Timber would look to eventually move alongside the six to create a numerical advantage in midfield. This role could be the one to get the best out of him, giving him the freedom to move vertically in the half-spaces while also being an option in the first phase of the build-up.
However, he seems uncomfortable receiving the ball in wide areas, so this would need to be worked on, as would his crossing, if he were to oust White from this role.
3. THE JOHN STONES ROLE
Timber could start as the right centre-back in a back four.
When in possession, instead of remaining as a centre-back, he would move vertically into the midfield, leaving the right-back to fill the vacated space.
This allows Timber to remain in the central channels and gives him a multitude of opportunities to carry the ball through the lines.
There would be questions on whether Timber could control the tempo from these positions akin to John Stones, due to considerably less ‘Pausa’ on the ball.
This system would mean that, off the ball, Timber would still be having to play as the right centre-back in a four, however, and this could expose some of his weaknesses.
Ultimately, Timber will be a very good signing for Arsenal.
He will allow them to configure their set-up in numerous ways, while adding depth to the defence. He is a young player — so naturally, there are improvements to come — but he is extremely talented.
It will be interesting to see how the Dutchman settles in.
By Alfie Biggs