Arsenal’s summer transfer activity has added some tough reinforcements to bolster their squad and one of the notable signings is Jurrien Timber from Ajax.
Manager Mikel Arteta has identified Timber as a versatile and technically gifted defender who can bring a new dimension to the Gunners’ playing style.
With Timber’s exceptional passing ability and composure on the ball, he seems like a perfect fit for Arteta’s possession-heavy tactics. However, one question looms large – can Timber’s height be a problem for Arsenal in the highly physical Premier League?
Jurrien Timber, a 22-year-old Netherlands international, has already proven himself to be a top-class distributor, leading the Dutch Eredivisie in passes and pass completion. He possesses the ability to drive the ball forward and supply Arsenal’s star attackers with quality passes quickly.
His tactical flexibility is also appealing to Arteta, as Timber can play as a right-sided center-back, right full-back, or even in central midfield when building from the back.
But there’s one aspect of Timber’s game that draws attention – his height. Standing at 5 ft 10 in (1.79m) tall, he falls short by traditional center-back standards. This lack of physical presence, especially in aerial duels, could potentially be exploited by taller and more aggressive Premier League strikers like Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Timber’s former teammate at Ajax, Lisandro Martinez, is a similar height, and he has adapted well to the Premier League with Manchester United, providing hope that Timber can do the same.
Timber himself acknowledged that it’s an area he’s working on to improve. “I sometimes felt that it was my first real season with Ajax,” Addressing concerns about his height with De Telegraaf via Tribal Football on international duty last year, Timber stated. “I have learned to play with aches and pains and I have started to perform more consistently. But I want to develop further. For example, I am not the tallest. That’s why I train my jumping a lot, because I want to learn to head better.”
Statistics show that Timber has won 43 percent of his aerial battles in the Eredivisie, which is lower than some other defenders. However, focusing solely on his height would be unfair, as Timber brings a host of other qualities that can outweigh his weaknesses. His technical abilities, distribution, and calmness on the ball make him an ideal fit for Arteta’s playing style.
Looking at Jurrien Timber’s strengths and weaknesses, it’s clear that he has the potential to thrive in the Premier League under the right management. With the guidance of Mikel Arteta and his desire to continuously improve, Timber can overcome the challenges posed by taller and more physical opponents.
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