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Jurrien Timber Embraces Versatile Role Amid Position Change

Jurrien Timber embraces versatile role amid position change for Netherlands. Jurrien Timber’s versatility has been a major advantage at club and international level. The Arsenal defender shone in a new central defensive role for the Netherlands national team. However, he also impressed as a right-back at the club. The adaptability demonstrated by the 24-year-old in switching position shows intelligence and functionality in his modern defender role. This provides managers with tactical flexibility in their defensive approaches.

International Shift to Centre-Back

In the most recent international window, Timber found himself in a similar yet different role for the Netherlands. He started as a centre back with Virgil van Dijk in their 4-0 World Cup qualifying win against Malta. This an eye-catching example of Timber’s new position as it represented a departure from his norm of being Arsenal’s first-choice right back this season under Mikel Arteta.

Jurrien Timber’s effectiveness in being comfortable in a central role might not be as incredibly surprising. Considering his historic positional data for the national side, of the 20 international caps accrued so far. Transfermarkt data shows that he has only played as right back on three occasions, with the last time in March of 2023. Therefore has a majority of appearances at centre back while also having three at left back for good measure.

Embracing Managerial Needs

When questioned about his positional versatility after the Malta match, Timber expressed complete openness to adapting for the team’s benefit: “I play wherever the manager needs me,” he told reporters. “I think it’s one of my strengths that I can play in multiple positions”.

The defender said to play alongside the experienced leader Van Dijk helped him ease back into the center back position: “For me, I’ve been able to add to that list of playing at center-back, and of course, when you’ve got someone like Virgil next to you, it does make it a bit easier. We had a clean sheet, we scored some good goals. So we can be fairly content”.

Back to His Roots

Jurrien Timber’s aptitude in central defence is a carryover from his time at Ajax. He predominantly played as a centre-back before making a move to Arsenal. In Amsterdam, he represented Ajax as a centre-back on 170 occasions, compared to just 90 at right back and began to show the range he now displays with the Gunners.

Tactical Implications for Arsenal

Timber’s success in various defensive roles has been noted at club level, too. The manager Mikel Arteta recently praising him for his “phenomenal” performances. Specifically, he has commended Timber’s recovery time following the serious ACL injury he suffered in his Premier League debut last season. Arteta states Timber is now “one of the most complete defenders in the league”.

Arteta is a tactical flexible manager. Timber’s versatility in being able to play the position across the line provides incredible options for Arsenal tactically. It can allow Arsenal to change their defensive shape in mid-game without substitutions. Moreover, it can provide adequate back-up cover when starting centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel need a rest.

Building on a Rich History of Versatility

Timber embodies the trend of modern defenders skilled throughout the backline. He carries the technical ability, defensive intelligence, and passing range to do the job no matter the position. His experience at Ajax, winning two Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Cup with the club, primarily at centre-back, prepared him for the tactical requirements presented by the Premier League and international football.

Future Prospects

With the Netherlands still to play more fixtures in their World Cup qualification process, Timber’s versatility gives coach Ronald Koeman defensive options, especially on the right side with the talents of Denzel Dumfries and the returning Jeremie Frimpong. Timber’s ability to be flexible in his game to adapt to the needs of the team, combined with his technical ability and intelligence in defending, is an incremental advantage making him more important for both the national team and club.

As Arsenal compete over several fronts this season, Timber’s ability to roles in different areas will be near essential to being successful. Mikel Arteta‘s squad is still developing, but having intelligent players allowed to play in different positions provides the tactical depth to compete at the top level.

As featured on GoonerNews.com

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