LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on October 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
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There is a growing sense that this might be Arsenal’s season. Mikel Arteta’s team is currently sitting top of the Premier League table, three points clear of Manchester City and four of the defending champions Liverpool. The Gunners are on a six-game winning run in all competitions.
Arsenal also has a perfect record in the Champions League, making them one of the frontrunners to win this season’s European title. The North London outfit boasts a number of performers operating at the highest level and one of them is going under the radar on the right side of the defensive line.
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta speaks with Arsenal’s Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 4, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE).
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Jurrien Timber has been outstanding this season. Signed from Ajax in the summer of 2023, it wasn’t immediately clear what position the Dutchman would play, particularly after he suffered an ACL injury. Timber is extremely versatile and it appeared that might count against him.
More recently, though, Timber has made himself Arsenal’s first-choice at right back. The 24-year-old has started seven out of eight Premier League games so far this season and has given Arsenal everything it has needed on the right side. He has been the Gunners’ best player so far this season.
Timber can do it all. He is a natural defender, giving Arsenal security against the ball at the back. On the ball, Timber is good enough to play an important role in Arsenal’s possession sequences. The 24-year-old is also comfortable enough getting forward and crossing from the byline as an attack-minded full back.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Ben White of Arsenal during the Arsenal training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on October 20, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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This was a role that Ben White performed for the last two seasons. The former Brighton defender was a centre back by trade, but was converted into a right back by Arteta who wanted to give his team more defensive security. White, however, was limited in terms of his possession play.
As someone who came through the famed youth system at Ajax, Timber is technically excellent. He can absorb the ball in any position and any scenario. What’s more, Timber has developed a strong understanding with Bukayo Saka on the right wing, Saka being Arsenal’s most important and productive attacking figure.
All over the pitch, Arsenal has options. It added Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi in the summer transfer window with all three contributing on a regular basis. Timber isn’t a new signing, but has reached a higher level as one of the key figures driving the Gunners towards their first title in a long time.