Mikel Arteta spoke highly about Jurrien Timber despite Arsenal’s pre-season friendly defeat to Manchester United in New York, USA.
Arsenal’s new summer signing played as a right-back against Manchester United, before being one of eight players to be subbed during the game – Lisandro Martinez was involved in a controversial moment with Bukayo Saka.
Both goals from Erik ten Hag’s side were scored with Jurrien Timber on the pitch, but Mikel Arteta made it clear that he was ‘really pleased’ by what he saw from the 22-year-old, as he told his post-match press conference.
It was interesting that Timber played at right-back because, during the entirety of last season for Ajax, he was deployed at the heart of the defence.
This is yet another clear sign that, whilst Timber will provide extra cover for Arsenal’s centre-backs this season, ultimately, he is here to take Ben White’s place in the XI.
Well, as of this moment, Arteta thinks Arsenal’s new boy is playing with ‘confidence’ and ‘determination’.
“With Jurrien, really pleased with his performance and the things we asked him to do,” said Arteta.
“Obviously, he is adapting really quickly to the team and you see the confidence and determination that he plays with.”
Timber starting off well
The early signs are positive from the versatile defender and it’s now looking likely that he will mainly be competing for that right-back spot.
If that happens, then it will allow Arteta and his right-sided fullback to tuck into the middle of the park and play as a midfielder.
Previously, only Oleksandr Zinchenko could do that from all of Arsenal’s full-backs, well, now they can do it on both sides.
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