There has been an avalanche of articles discussing how Mikel Arteta will line up his starting XI against Tottenham, since the unexpected sudden injury to Mikel Merino, and the even more unexpected red card for Declan Rice against Brighton.
There have been cases put forward for many different ways to overcome both absences, like moving Havertz back to midfield and using Jesus up front, or just giving Jorginho his first start of the season, to radically giving young Ethan Nwaneri a chance to shine after his exceptional performances in pre-season.
The latest interview with Jurrien Timber, who has now finally regained full fitness after his year long ACL injury, and he has now put his mame forward as a possible choice for Arteta in midfield as well. He said in the Mirror: “The centre of defence at Arsenal sits with Saliba and Gabriel. Where I play doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m playing. I can do well there [as a left-back] and the national coach can also put me there. It is a really nice position and I also play a lot in midfield. I have to play a lot of minutes now and it helps that I am multifunctional.”
Well, it certainly looks like Mikel Arteta has a big dilemma on how to set out his midfield against Tottenham. Could Timber be his secret weapon?
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That will be a slap on Jorginho. He should be considered for left back as we don’t know whether Calafiori will be available.
I think Jorginho knows he’s not up to it against the elite teams in the league. Don’t be surprised if comes out he’s doing coaching badges this season whilst playing.
Have you seen his performances as captain of Italy? He is far from over the hill…
I remember Arteta playing him alongside Rice in our biggest games last season. Was one of our best players against Liverpool and that was not too long ago,just this year.
But he had fast mobile Rice playing beside him. He’d have another 30+ year old pair of legs in Partey beside him vs. Spurs
Very good idea
Timber will be required in the LB position to prevent Spuds RW from cutting inside and shoot
Better assign Zinchenko in the left-sided AM position
Arteta unlikely to try something as radical new as Timber out of position in defensive midfield in a match as big and high pressure as Spurs away
i think more likely go with what the players already know, and which was actually very effective against Leverkusen, which is Havertz in left attacking midfield
Jesus then starting up front
Havertz is a very different player to that of this time last year, and Arteta trusts him
It’s really not the game to experiment given Timber has never played there in Arteta’s system. Wouldn’t mind seeing it being tried in an easier though. Has to be Havertz because he’s the only senior player who has experience playing that role.
*easier fixture
I would be concerned if he started Jesus as striker (who struggles to score), and Havertz in midfield (lesser impact on the game like he does as striker).
Safer to keep Havertz as striker and likely Jorghino in midfield alongside Partey. Not ideal, but best lineup we would have.
No Zinchenko anywhere, he is a defensive liability; cooked at LB and no steel in midfield.
Timer could sub in midfield if we need, his speed and defending to replace Jorginho.
i suspect Arteta will move Havertz to MF and hope to mitigate the loss of his scoring upfront by placing Sterling as a false 9
We need the old Partey back I wouldn’t have been as worried about Rice’s loss had the old Partey been bossing it He used to be the lone sitter and done well but not lately We need a big game from Partey
I should agree that Partey if fully fit can cover the DM and Timber suitable for LB but if Timber to fill DM spot, Zinchenko can fill the LB or can even try to gibe Jakub chance once in a while
Great idea we could all look forward to seeing him playing that role but Arteta should not test the patience of other epl competitors as early as now
I will prefer zinchenko in the midfield to Timber, if Califioli is fit then, zinchenko should not be part of the starting eleven, specially Johnson at the right flank. I don’t trust zinchenko at the left back.