Most Arsenal players have featured heavily throughout this season, and one individual who has been ever-present in the squad is Jurrien Timber.
The Dutch defender has delivered consistently impressive performances, keeping Ben White out of the starting lineup and earning widespread praise for his contribution. Timber’s form has been so strong that Mikel Arteta has placed significant trust in him, selecting him regularly in key fixtures.
The principle of consistency has clearly influenced Arteta’s decision-making. Timber’s reliability and composure have made him a crucial component of Arsenal’s defensive structure. As the saying goes, if it is not broken, there is little need to fix it. The manager has been among the most vocal supporters of the former Ajax player, which has translated into substantial playing time.
Managing Workload Concerns
However, with the campaign entering a decisive phase, concerns have emerged about fatigue. Sustaining such a demanding schedule can take its toll, particularly when the matches increase in intensity and importance. Timber will undoubtedly be proud of his role and keen to maintain his high standards, but careful squad management may become necessary in the coming weeks.
Kieran Gibbs has suggested that rest could be beneficial, particularly ahead of the forthcoming clash with Tottenham.
Gibbs Suggests Rotation
Sharing his view as quoted by the Metro, Gibbs said:
‘I think if I were to pick any holes in that, it would probably be, I feel like Jurrien Timbers played a lot of football, and I think he might be due a rest.
‘You’ve got Ben White waiting behind you, he’s perfectly capable, he knows how to play at this level, and he’s done great for Arsenal since he signed. So maybe there’s that.”
His comments highlight the strength in depth available to Arteta. With White ready to step in, Arsenal possess the flexibility to rotate without significantly weakening the side, a factor that could prove crucial as the season reaches its conclusion.
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Arteta has one of the poorest rotation system in a big club! The question is : what did he learn from Gaudiola? You cannot say how Gaudiola won many trophies without mentioning how he rotates his squad well. Arteta lacks this! White has been fantastic in the right full back before the arrival of Timber. Now he has to play only Morcambe and Exeter in the beginning of Carabao and FA Cups and only pray for Timber to get injured! That is not how to manage a big club.
BW has had fitness issues. Guardiola has been able to rotate when he has players available.
Unfortunately, this season, even though there has been strengthening of the squad there have been a lot of injuries.
Even if Ben has fitness issues, how about Mosquera? He can do the job for 20 or so minutes to close games. Timber simply hasn’t bern managed well.
😂
Timber didn’t have his strongest game and prior to his arrival I was more than happy to see White’s name on the starting list. He, Saka and Odegaard worked well together. It’s a pity that his knee injury wasn’t dealt with earlier because it has caused more grief now causing selection issues when Timber clearly needs a rest
People complain like this but who could have been played when BW was apparently being overplayed. Timber was out for a year and there were no other senior right FBs until Timber himself came back.. When Partey was used as cover at RB some complained again that he wasn’t a RB.
Absolutely right regarding the lack of senior right backs at the time.
The problem for me is that we don’t fully know how fit White is. I understand how important it is to manage “the minutes “ of individual players, but considering the Wolves game should have been an opportunity to not start Timber and play White instead, I’m surprised Arteta didn’t take that option
Saliba has played fullback in France, and I think is quite good at it. Similar case with mosquera in Spain I think. Even nordgard is a possibility. Better to use someone in a position they’re slightly less comfortable with (even if it brings criticism) than allow one of your best players to burn out – it’s particularly sad to see considering his still relatively recent comeback from a serious serious injury. He needs protecting imo.
Good players keep playing till they’re dead.
It’s the Arsenal way.
6 years in management already.
It’s who Arteta is. Not gonna change. Ever
If Arteta doesn’t win either epl or champion league. He should humbly resign n if he refuse, then the board should sack him.
He has been given everything that other coaches desires to deliver. Emery didn’t have these luxury with the amount given to Arteta. Imagine if Emery had these financial backing, arsenal would have won two major trophies or more.
Only four managers comes to mind if Arteta fumbles the major trophies hunts; ancelotti, unai Emery, Enrique and tuchel.
I would play White and give Timber a rest.
Problem is, as a player, no matter how fatigued you are, these are games you don’t want to miss. Timber will be begging to start I am sure.