Kieran Gibbs says Jurrien Timber was ‘really good’ for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal during their Community Shield triumph against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.
But the former Arsenal player still can’t see Jurrien Timber starting for the club as the new Premier League season kicks off on Friday night between Burnley and Manchester City.
Against the Premier League champions yesterday, with Oleksandr Zinchenko still injured, the 22-year-old started as a left-back and was one of the best players on the pitch.
But, for Gibbs, he still thinks this one will ‘take its time’ and Timber won’t be thrown into the deep end yet by Arteta, as he told ESPN.
All summer long, he has played various roles at his new club, including as a right-sided fullback, even though, at Ajax last season, he was a centre-back.
All of this will be music to the ears of Arsenal fans because there is a lot to work with here, with Gibbs sharing his thoughts.
“It will be a tough one because he does look really good,” said Gibbs. “But I don’t think he is going to come in straight away and, after Ben White’s season last season.
“I think it will take its time. But there are so many games that he will get games anyway, so Arteta will have to rotate at some point during the season.”
Timber a better signing than Havertz and Rice?
Arsenal’s major issue last season was their defensive collapse and lack of depth behind their main starters.
Well, the arrival of Timber, who joined for a transfer fee of £38 million (Sky Sports), might change that because he can cover a lot of bases.
The ability to play across the front three, and at a potentially high level, is a top trait to have and that’s why it probably makes him a better signing than his fellow summer arrivals, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
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