Arsenal: Ben White must respond as Jurrien Timber shows Mikel Arteta what he was missing | OneFootball

Timber missed almost entirety of first campaign at Arsenal but has shone this season

On more than one occasion last season, Mikel Arteta bemoaned the fact Arsenal did not have Jurrien Timber available to them.

Timber had signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2023, arriving from Ajax as part of a deal worth over £30million, and had impressed in pre-season.

Disaster struck in the opening game of the Premier League season, though, when Timber suffered a serious knee injury. He would not return until the final game of the campaign.

Arteta lamented the loss at time, highlighting how Timber’s absence had made it harder for Arsenal to be “unpredictable” in how they set up.

The defender has shown this season just why Arteta was so gutted to be without him for nine months.

Real Madrid on Tuesday night was the latest fine display from Timber during a season that has been littered with brilliant performances.

Jurrien Timber kept Vinicius Junior quiet as Arsenal beat Real Madrid

AFP via Getty Images

The right-back shut down one of Real’s biggest weapons in Vinicius Junior to the extent the winger did not complete a single dribble.

“Nobody probably realised the player that we signed until he stepped through that door and started to show every quality that he has on the human side because he’s a leader,” said Arteta.

“He had a really tough start, having a really difficult injury almost a year out, and then the way he's been going this season, it’s just remarkable.”

Timber is showcasing everything the Arsenal scouts saw in him. They were primarily attracted to him because of his ability as a one-on-one defender, who is tenacious and front footed.

Arsenal also liked the fact he was fast and strong, especially when competing in duels, while there was an appreciation of his ability on the ball. The belief was Timber could help Arsenal offensively as well as defensively.

The 23-year-old has lived up to the hype this season. He is second in the Arsenal squad for tackles won in Premier League games and third for interceptions.

Timber has also made his mark in attack, ranking fifth in the squad for chances created and completed take-ons.

The Dutchman has become a key cog in the Arsenal side and, in the Premier League, Declan Rice, Gabriel and William Saliba are the only outfield players in the Gunners squad to have played more minutes than him.

Timber is excelling at right-back now, but at the start of the campaign he was impressing so much on the other flank it looked like he could be Arsenal’s answer to their issues at left-back.

“He’s in a different position with different demands but is always so consistent,” Arteta has said.

Timber’s fine season is not down to luck. He worked hard during his recovery, firstly on getting fit but also studying how Arsenal play.

The Dutchman attended all the home games and was part of squad meetings, too. He also embedded himself in the local area, finding a church to visit every Sunday.

Timber has blossomed into a leader and vital player for Arteta, which is why he could well be rested for Saturday’s game against Brentford.

The second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid is on Wednesday and the Gunners need Timber fresh for that.

Ben White’s season has been hampered by injury

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Ben White could be handed the chance to start in his absence and he will be determined to seize the opportunity.

The right-back has had a difficult season after undergoing knee surgery in November. He made his first start since then last week when Arsenal travelled to Everton, getting through an hour before coming off.

What happens with White now he is back is intriguing given Timber’s fine form at right-back.

Before knee surgery, Timber was being used at left-back and White played on the other flank - but Myles Lewis-Skelly has come on the scene since then.

White may now find his best minutes this season are at centre-back in the absence of Gabriel.

Either way, right-back is now arguably the most competitive position in the Arsenal squad when you consider Arteta is picking between Timber and White.

It is a headache the Spaniard probably relishes, especially during a season crippled by injuries, and the truth is Arsenal need more of them going forward.

If Arsenal are to achieve their ambition of winning major trophies they need depth in the squad - and no more so is that the case now than at right-back.

After a year out, Timber has returned and performed at a level that makes him a contender for Arsenal’s player of the season.

The onus is now on White to respond, starting against Brentford this weekend.