April 18th 2025.
It seems that Mikel Arteta has made up his mind about his preferred back four after Gabriel Magalhaes' recent injury. However, William Gallas has expressed concern about one of Arteta's key players facing a tough battle to regain their spot in the starting lineup at Arsenal.
The team is still buzzing from their incredible victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday, where goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli secured a memorable 5-1 aggregate win. While the forwards and Declan Rice received most of the praise, there were also some unsung heroes whose performances went unnoticed.
Jurrien Timber, for example, put on a brilliant defensive display, completely shutting down the threat of Vinicius Jr. He did so despite the added pressure of knowing that one mistake could result in a yellow card, which would have ruled him out of the first leg of the semi-final.
Timber's first season with Arsenal was unfortunately cut short by a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut. However, since returning to full fitness, he has established himself as a crucial part of the team's defense and has been a reliable presence at right back in place of Ben White.
White, who was signed for a record fee of £50 million, has struggled with injuries and has only recently returned to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery. While he is a versatile player and an important part of Arteta's long-term plans, Gallas believes he may now have to settle for a smaller role in the team.
"Jurrien Timber has been so impressive at right back that it will be difficult for Ben White to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup," Gallas said in an interview with Slingo. "White will still get some playing time, but it's not his natural position. He has contributed with some goals, but he needs to do more, like Timber is doing."
Gallas also added that White has two options: to fight for his place in the team or to request a transfer. Only last week, Arteta himself praised Timber's resilience and determination to come back from a severe injury.
"He's been incredible. We didn't fully appreciate the player we signed until he joined us and showed all of his qualities, both on and off the pitch," Arteta said. "He had a tough start, with a serious injury that kept him out for almost a year. But his performances this season have been remarkable. He's playing in a different position with different demands, but he's always consistent."
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but one thing is for sure: Timber's performances have certainly caught the attention of his manager and former teammates.
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