“The Rise of Jurrien Timber: Arsenal’s Pursuit of the Versatile ‘Inverted Right-Back'”

Arsenal in Talks to Sign Jurrien Timber: Adding Depth and Versatility to the Back Four

By | June 20, 2023

Arsenal Football Club is currently engaged in negotiations to secure the services of Dutch defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax. The potential signing of Timber would provide the Gunners with increased depth and versatility in their defensive options. Manager Mikel Arteta has been targeting Timber for several weeks, aiming to bring in a player who can compete for the right-back and central defender positions.

Telegraph Sport understands that Timber, 22, is valued at approximately £50 million by Ajax. However, Arsenal is hoping to secure a deal at a lower price, taking advantage of the two years remaining on the player’s contract. It is worth noting that Timber has previously attracted interest from Manchester United, indicating his quality and potential.

A Key Addition for Arsenal‘s Squad Planning

Arsenal‘s interest in Timber is fueled by their desire to add a player who can play as an inverted right-back, similar to the role Oleksandr Zinchenko fulfilled on the left flank last season. This tactical approach involves a player who can cut inside and provide balance and creativity from a defensive position.

Jurrien Timber, known for his composure in possession and superb passing range, possesses the necessary attributes to excel in this role. Additionally, he is also capable of operating as a center-back, providing further versatility to the Arsenal squad.

The Tactical Experiment with Thomas Partey

At the end of the 2022/23 season, Arteta experimented with an inverted right-back by assigning midfielder Thomas Partey to fulfill that role. The results were mixed, with Arsenal suffering a defeat against Nottingham Forest but securing a 5-0 victory over Wolves on the final day of the campaign.

With Partey primarily considered a midfielder and his future at the club uncertain, the potential acquisition of Jurrien Timber would offer Arteta a more natural option for the right-back position, especially if Ben White is moved to a center-back role.

Reinforcing Arsenal‘s Defensive Options

The pursuit of Timber is part of Arsenal‘s strategy to bolster their defensive options following a title charge that faltered due to injuries to key defenders William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu in March. Timber would compete with Saliba and White for a place in the starting lineup, providing increased competition and depth in defense.

The potential signing of Jurrien Timber would also facilitate rotation within the squad as Arsenal prepares for the demands of playing in the Champions League next season, an opportunity they earned through their league performance.

The Transfer Market and Future Prospects

While negotiations for Jurrien Timber are ongoing, Arsenal is also engaged in discussions with West Ham United over the potential signing of midfielder Declan Rice and with Chelsea for attacking midfielder Kai Havertz.

The progress of the Havertz deal with Chelsea appears to be swift, with the club open to selling the player for the right price. The potential addition of Havertz would further reinforce Arsenal‘s attacking options and enhance their chances of success in both domestic and European competitions.

As the summer transfer market enters its busy period, Arsenal is taking proactive steps to address their squad’s needs. The potential signing of Jurrien Timber not only strengthens their defensive capabilities but also represents a strategic move to shape the squad’s tactical approach.

Ultimately, it will be the performance on the field that determines the impact of these signings, and Arsenal fans eagerly await the club’s next steps as they strive to compete at the highest level.