We discussed Oleksandr Zinchenko’s flaws versus the Wolves and why Leon Bailey would be salivating at the prospect of taking him on. Thankfully, Arteta benched Zinchenko, whom Bailey cooked last season, in favour of Jurrien Timber.
Zinchenko excels in the buildup and during team possession, yet opponents exploit his defensive shortcomings. Jurrien Timber, thankfully, does exactly what the Ukrainian does: he inverts like him while providing the team with the solidity it needs, unlike the former Manchester City star.
Timber was a player for whom the Gooners had high expectations last season, but an ACL injury forced him off the field 51 minutes into his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest (in Arsenal’s match day one of 2023–24). That injury sidelined him for 45 games, and he only returned for a cameo appearance in Arsenal’s season-ending game against Everton.
In the build-up to this season, Timber had a promising pre-season, but he missed the last three friendly matches due to the club’s desire to keep him from overworking and injuring himself again.
Despite not being considered fit to start the season’s first game, he proved to be the solution to Zinchenko’s left-back problem, taking over in the 69th minute of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over the Wanderers. Following a superb cameo against Wolves, Arsenal fans pushed for him to start against Aston Villa, and that is what happened.
The Dutchman made his first Arsenal Premier League start since his ACL injury and performed admirably. Given that he is still getting used to his new role as an inverting leftback and Villa is a formidable opponent, he performed admirably in his first game. Though he just needs to make faster decisions, which will come, don’t you agree we forgot Aston Villa had a right winger? Arsenal’s left hand rarely faced any significant tests from their right wing. Nonetheless, Timber defended his zone admirably and justified our decision to push him into the starting lineup.
I hope he stays fit, because the nicest thing about him is that he will only get better and could easily make the left-back position his own.
Sam P
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Very good player. I’m glad we have him. He will improve too. He’s better than Zinchenko
He just needs to remain free from major injuries
He did ok. He didn’t offer much offensively like Zinchenko would. I think he will be competing with Ben White for the right back position when everyone is fully fit. Good player though.
Steady, confident performance, he fits in nicely.
Timber shows quality and massive potential, that tricky block leaving Onano in a heap iwith that hefty body check is no easy feat, this is the same powerful midfielder that man handled a strong west Ham midfield.
Can only see this player getting better as the campaign get underway.
Good player strong and imposing should do well for us if he stays git
He effectively prevented Leon Bailey from cutting inside, because he played right-footed LB
However, he needs to improve his positioning skills, to receive through balls from our GK and CBs
He also couldn’t pass along the left touchline, because his weaker foot wasn’t adept enough to make that pass type in such tight space
Nothing particularly spectacular or poor that I noticed but sufficient on the day. School’s still out but I’m hopeful for his great potential. Good signs from Calafiori as he was very active and looked very confident. He may be a very significant presence this season or at least providing very strong support.
He was very solid defensively but going forward he offered nothing. I think we should revert to Zinny for the small teams and Timber against established attackers.
Sometimes when we win i find difficult to judge my players. But Timber will help the team. He is diffencively better than Zinch.
Sorry my comment my be slightly off the topic but same game. Is high time M.A realistic that Kai Havertz can’t do the job at that high level or doesn’t fit properly. We love all our boys and how passionate they are about Arsenal but just as we all and our manege M.A got it right about Jurrian replacing Zinny in the Villa game. We need something higher than Kai can do.
With all Respect.
Thanks
I think his good but he should stop trying to do a lot with the ball it leads to loss of possession like the way magalhaels like shielding the ball and ends up losing possession it’s very annoying that’s the major problem those 2 have and it will cost us some day
I hope and pray his fitness continues being better game after game. He’s a confident/capable player, available where the Boss wants him. My concern is his “overconfidence “. My 2ndconcern is at a level of “harmony” working next to Gab Mag. He doesn’t seem to like being told what to do. I hope I’m wrong on this one.