Last season, Arsenal’s defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes received praise for their impressive performances throughout the campaign. Their partnership was considered a key factor in the team’s success.
However, their season took a downturn when Saliba suffered an injury, which disrupted their defensive stability. Fans are hopeful that the next season will see the continuation of this successful partnership.
Despite that, Mikel Arteta is reportedly close to adding Jurrien Timber to the squad during the current transfer window. The Dutch defender is expected to play a significant role at the club. With his arrival, there will be increased competition for a starting spot in the Arsenal defence.
According to former Aston Villa player Gabriel Agbonlahor, Timber has the potential to bench one of Gabriel and Saliba in the starting lineup. While it remains to be seen who will be affected, Agbonlahor believes that Gabriel could be the player who faces stiff competition for a starting position.
He tells Football Insider:
“I think for the start of the season, Gabriel should keep his place.
“When they played him with Saliba at the start of the season, they were both phenomenal.
“He has got the odd mistake in him, Gabriel, but even with a mistake he is better than Holding.
“But bringing in Timber really puts the pressure on him. It says – first mistake, and you’re out.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Timber seems like a defender who will push our current options to become even better or face spending time on the bench.
It is exciting to have a good option to work with and we hope he will meet expectations at the Emirates.
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Little wonder these pundits hardly make it managers. Talking about “first mistake, and you are out.”
To succeed in competing in all competitions, Arsenal needs at least 4 quality CB’s.
Exactly,
I really do not like guys who keep on thinking tthat whenever we get a quality player we should loose or have no use for another we already have.
There are different dynamics for different games a cobination of which wins you trophees.There will be atimes say if we find oursleves in the lead say against City, we will have to defend the lead by using defensive minded players.
The coach will have to learn to grind out some wins, or even draws. For instance last season If we had drawn city twice it would would have meant a 6 point readjustment of the table.
Off topic: Why is Arsenal not even giving a thought to the signing of Villareal’s Samuel Chukwueze considering what happened after fatigue sets in for Saka last season??
He has comparable skills and just like Saka, does not balk at having a go at defenders of Top 6 clubs. He is fearless with the ball and has multiple good CL experiences under his belt. Now AC Milan is tabling a nice offer for him.
There were talks just after last season ended but now all gone quiet. I fear to think what happens if anything happens to Saka few matches into the new season just like the Saliba injury assisted in our ultimate collapse.
Unless MA is working double time on a plan to deploy Trossard or Nelson in that position, this is a massive overlook!
Really talk about it
I thought Timber is coming in to cover as a RB or LB!
He plays CB for ajax – it’s his main position. It’s assumed he’d play fullback for us because he’s short and very good on the ball, but I’d say that’s far from sure.
*relatively short (not great in the air, apparently)
Some time a pundits though trying to cut their teeth making on honest bread can be so far off the pace.
Such is the case of Agbonlahor here, he claims Timber has the potential to bench Saliba or Magalhaes, the young Dutchman is not an upgrade of neither of our central defenders, though a good player yes.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been excellent at the heart of Arsenal back four and have played a key role in our last campaign.
Saliba may have been single out for praises but Magalhaes is more physically imposing with superior Aerial prowess, there is a solid partnership and an element of chemistry between those two, understanding and complimenting each other, they seems to maximize each other qualities as well.
Agree – Gabriel is the more aggressive, front foot defender, whereas saliba is the one who can drop off. Not sure how timber plays tbh, but he is relatively short and not got great in the air, to my understanding.
If we can find a way to deal with Gabriel’s mistakes, fine. Too many mistakes in him that he needs to improve this coming season. His needless penalty offence when we played WHU while leading 2 goals in a case to point out.
Howard
One way to minimize the mistakes at the back would be to play Teinrny more.
I’m afraid Timber might be a direct replacement for Partey. I see Arteta using him as CDM
Continuing this respect for Partey. Thinking of selling Partey and keeping Chief benchwarmer Elneny.