Jurrien Timber’s arrival at Arsenal has raised one major question: who plays at right back for the Gunners? At the present, everything points to Timber. The excitement surrounding his arrival suggests that Arteta will use him right away. Where may White play now that Timber is expected to start at right back and Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba’s defensive pairing is likely to be preserved at central defense? Alex Crook believes White might be deployed in a central midfield role similar to that of Manchester City’s John Stones and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold.
“I’m interested to see what happens with Ben White because we know they’re going to bring in Jurrien Timber, that’s going to be as a straight right-back,” said Crook, on talkSPORT‘s Transfer Update Podcast.
“Ben White probably won’t get a center-back position because of the partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba, who has signed a new contract.
“I think he might move up to a sort of John Stones midfield role; I wouldn’t rule that out. So, he might well be the holding midfielder, and that will enable Declan Rice to go further forward.”
White’s adaptability is what makes him a valuable component in Arteta’s project. We’ve long believed he can play in midfield. Arteta should be able to confirm his plans for White throughout the preseason.
Nonetheless, Arsenal is becoming more powerful, and some old practices of relying on a single playerin any position may come to an end. Arteta may begin to rotate his team on a regular basis, keeping everyone happy, including the fans!
Jack A
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Not sure I agree with your assumption that Timber will start at RB ahead of White.
Not sure about the assumption he will start at RB at all. He could be seen as a competitor for a CB spot (considering that’s where he’s most often played), or he could be used in multiple positions as required. We’re all just guessing atm.
Did you watch Partey play inverted-RB last season? I believe White will play like that, by cutting inside to become our right DM, when we have the ball
…….………….……. Ramsdale
………. Timber .… Saliba …. Magalhaes
………………. White ……..… Rice
Saka . Odegaard . Zinchenko . Jesus
……………………..…. Havertz
I doubt Martinelli would like this lineup!
Martinelli will not like this
You forgot Martinelli……..
Invalid without Martinelli
White and Timber are both versatile.. RB, Centre Half and defensive midfield so I’ll think they’ll share the load as needs be, who the opposition is etc…
Think he was going off the fact Martinelli was injured, but he’s back now,
Ben White never put a foot wrong at right back all of last season. On when Tomiyasu came in were mistakes made.
I suspect this player was purchased with a view to rotate the squad more frequently rather than replace a player who had an excellent season – this will reduce the risk of injury in the long term.
White will rotate with Saliba and Timber, the Frenchman will not play in every game, recurring back issues don’t go away overnight.
They both can play as centre backs, right full backs and defensive midfielders. Problem with the ready made options. Several options Cos Tomiyasu can player in all three plus left full back.
Depending on other potential signings, I would expect White to basically cover for Timber and/or Saliba being comfortable in either position. I assume we can expect Zinchenko to continue his inverted role from LB but with Timber’s arrival we now have the option to play the inverted fullback role from both sides, making us less predictable. That said, I wouldn’t fancy Zinchenko having to play LCB, so assume Tierney will either be retained or we will see Tomiyasu cover the LCB role when Timber is playing inside. Whatever develops, we now have an excellent group of defenders capable of playing multiple different formations. The days of the archetypal fullback seem to be gone for now.
Ramsdale
Timber saliba. Gabby
White rice
Saka ode. Zinc. Martinell
Jesus
I don’t think we will see Ben White and Timber play in the same side unless there is an injury to Saliba or Rice. Havertz will play, make no mistake.
White keeps his starting spot Timber provides much needed competition. We might see Tomiyasu moved back to centreback which is his natural position as he is average going forward and maybe not having to work up and down the flanks can hopefully reduce his chances of picking more injuries.
RB
White
Timber
RCB
Saliba
Tomiyasu
LCB
Gabriel
Kiwior
LB
Zinchenko
Tierney
Spot on
This is how I see it, too. Basically, we now have the option to invert RB or LB with no noticeable drop in quality. If anything, Timber will probably be better at it, as he is a better defender than Zinchenko.
It allows all kinds of line-ups, each as good as the last. For example, we could see Timber and White play together and Zinchenko further forward whilst Havertz is out. This is unlikely, but it would work if required.
And we have options up front as well. If Balogun stays, then Jesus could cover for Saka and allow him to rest and provide an alternative threat in the striker position. Havertz/Vieira/ESR behind or wide.
I think Timber will have to bide his time at first awaiting an opportunity to showcase his abilities. It wouldn’t be fair to drop White so early when he hasn’t done anything wrong. Timber will either cover CB and RB with White may be seen as Saliba’s backup if it’s not going to be Timber. I think others have already suggested as much and I agree with them
So, just to check the logic of this article, who plays at RB for Liverpool when Trent is in the middle?
We have fullbacks that go up and down the flanks?
Timber will offer on the right hand side what Zinchenko does on the left, inverting into midfield. Will they both play and rotate in and out of midfield? I don’t have a clue what MA is thinking other than he likes players with adaptability. If Saliba is not playing I would prefer White in his place, but I am not convinced that Gabriel is rock solid or that Kiwior is ready yet to compete with him either. I don’t see White in midfield, not that he isn’t capable, I just don’t think MA fancies him there.
Don’t worry about Ben White’s possion Arteta will sort a
Spot for him sat on the bench, he’s one of the most Over rated
Player’s in premiere league wounder if it’s to late for a refund ?
Are you an arsenal fan David whatever ?
For him to be overrated it would mean that general opinion is wrong, I don’t buy that. He doesn’t stand out because he isn’t flashy, but he is a solid player.
DP
One if the few who actually knows football. Like xhaka, we wasted money on white. Well overrated, 5 mil maybe but 10x that???
Brighton took us to the cleaners
White was clueless regularly in games against the top 10 games. I understand when a player has a few poor games but white?? Regularly beaten, takes the sting off quick attacks with his slowness and whats with his throw ins???
Ben will play where he’s always played.
Easy answer, Centre Back.
Wow, I like the possible lineups I am seeing here without any mention of one of our best player in TP, how he has been the fall guy in our failures last season simply beats me, and the last time I checked he is still on arsenal FC payroll and player, TP you used to be the darling of some of we fickle minded fans and when you do bounce back we same fans will will start our praise singing again, don’t be bothered.
How come he’s the fall guy? He’s not he was the main reason imo with saliba that we were competing this past season. Only reason theyre not putting him there is because its mostly certain that he’s leaving.
I am always unhappy with that kind of question: Who will start where? The whole purpose of a quality squad is to rotate players without compromising the efficiency of the team. It doesn’t matter who starts. What matters most is that whoever starts or comes on as a substitute will deliver the goods. The coach can even change the line ups depending on various factors. We are the people who have been clamouring for more quality players now when we have them some people are already bringing up conspiracies on who will start where. The bottom line should be that all players should be afforded playing time so that they don’t become disgruntled or envious of their colleagues. That is the best way to keep our players safe and reduce on injuries.
I think Benny is still first choice RB. Timber is more of a utility player. Someone like Kyle Walker. Specific or precise role.