In Focus: Timber has right materials for Arsenal rebuild

Arsenal have stolen the headlines with the marquee signings of England midfielder Declan Rice and German forward Kai Havertz.

Yet the arrival of Dutch defender Jurrien Timber could prove to be Mikel Arteta's shrewdest acquisition this summer.

Last season's title bid was derailed by injuries across the Basque boss' back line, positions the versatlie former Ajax talent will be able to cover. 

Following Timber's impressive cameo in Wednesday night's 5-0 victory over the MLS-All Stars, we take a look at the 22-year-old's many qualities.

Defensive crisis

Arsenal were top of the Premier League and honing in on the title, when centre-back William Saliba was injured in a Europa League tie against Sporting last March. 

Ben White could have been shifted across from right-back, but for the fact that he had replaced Takehiro Tomiyasu earlier on in the game, when the Japanese defender also picked up an injury. 

Arteta was forced to field Rob Holding and then January signing Jakub Kiwior as replacements for Saliba, with White the only option at right-back. 

Arsenal only won five of their remaining 11 Premier League games, which resulted in Manchester City snatching the title away from them. 

The versatility of Timber essentially eliminates the threat of something similar occurring next season. 

Work of Art

After giving Timber his first minutes at Audi Field, Arteta said: "I think you've seen tonight that he's a really versatile player, you can see him defend in those positions.

"He gives you the capacity to invert, to occupy different spaces. He's so comfortable on the ball in that phase and he's also got this aggression in the duels and that dynamism that I really like about him.

"You saw from the first action, he went and won the ball straight away on that duel and he was ready to go.

"He's been like that in the last few days — he's playing really well with the team, and I think he's going to be a really important player for us."

Reiziger verdict

Former Barcelona and Netherlands defender Michael Reiziger was the manager of Jong Ajax during Timber's development in Amsterdam.

The 50-year-old coach said: "He is defensively really strong, very quick and anticipates game situations really well. In the one-vs-one he is really good. 

"Jurrien is at ease and one with the ball. Because his first touch is really good, it is difficult to put pressure on him. 

"He has the courage to dribble too. He has scored and given assists after first conquering the ball and then rumbling forward.

"At a club like Arsenal, a footballing team who often has the ball and who puts opponents under pressure, that suits him."

Arsenal role

An interesting aspect of Timber's move is where he will play under Arteta next season. 

Arsenal are unlikely to have paid an initial £34million for a back up, even if the purchase has ensured that the Gunners will not suffer from last season's selection problems. 

Right-back might be the perfect position for Timber to get used to the Premier League, but White was excellent in that role last season and Tomiyasu is too good to be a third choice. 

A central defensive role alongside Saliba could be the long-term plan for the two-time Eredivisie champion, with Gabriel Magalhaes perhaps the most likely of last season's back four to be ousted.