Arsenal supporters have now made their feelings about Jurrien Timber clear to Mikel Arteta.
Jurrien Timber played for Arsenal in their 1-0 North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
In many ways, the Dutch defender is now making up for lost time. This was his first taste of a North London Derby, after he missed out on almost the entirety of his maiden campaign in English football last season following an ACL injury.
Timber celebrated his first Arsenal win over Spurs on Instagram after the match, and will very much feel that he is just getting started.
The 23-year-old defender is now fit and firing on all cylinders once again and already looks to have established himself in Mikel Arteta’s preferred back four.
Whilst Gabriel Magalhaes was the match-winner against Tottenham, and William Saliba was similarly sensational in the heart of the rearguard, Timber was also able to catch the eye with his committed and physical display.
Arsenal fans stunned by Jurrien Timber in North London Derby
Many Arsenal fans on X were eager to praise Timber for his performance against Spurs.
One supporter said: “Jurrien Timber phenomenal. Superb OOP yet again, completely locked off that side. Knew when to engage and when to apply pressure and show aggression. A committed personality that’s required in the high octane games. Some of his play on the ball as well. Brilliant.”
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Another stated: “Jurrien Timber at left back was SPECIAL today. He won every single loose ball and was everywhere.”
One added: “I’m very impressed with Jurrien Timber. The boy has been injured for a year & today he played at LB in his first NLD. Balls of steel and the precision with which he applied his aggression after that yellow, wow. Got that dawg in him.”
Another claimed: “Jurrien Timber has arrived as an Arsenal player, what a shift from him.”
Arsenal shirt now Timber’s to lose
Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up a knock just ahead of this match, whilst Riccardo Calafiori was already sidelined, making it an easy decision for Arteta to start Timber.
However, in general there shall be plenty of competition for the left-back berth this season, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior also both capable of playing in that part of the pitch.
However, the sentiment from the fans is clear, Timber ought to currently be seen as the first choice pick for that role.
The Netherlands international is an aggressive defender, progressive on the ball, and has now shown that he can step up on the big occasions.