The ever-changing role of the modern full back means that Jurrien has to have all the physical attributes needed to be a top-quality central defender – where he has played in the past – as well as those of an incisive wide player.
He’s created 12 chances in the Premier League this season – only Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have made more – and taken the fourth most shots. “It’s interesting, isn’t it?”
Jurrien says when evaluating how the demands of the full back has evolved. “It’s a bit of everything. It makes it fun as well and I enjoy it, because I know I can do that kind of stuff as well. It’s sometimes a bit much, but within the process, you just learn and learn and at some point you realise, ’OK, I can defend, I know what to do when I’m here.’ Because the team evolves, and everyone knows their role, because everything is so clear.
“So, you just grow within the team and within what’s asked from you. It’s not always easy, because when it’s something new, you have to process it and feel comfortable on the pitch.
“But you see it more and more often in football: you see full backs playing midfield and at number 10. Being a full back has changed since I started playing, 100 per cent. It’s not just making sure your opposing winger doesn’t get the ball. Or about overlapping and putting in crosses. It’s so much more.”
All of our defenders in the current squad are also very versatile, and Jurrien says that is also a growing trend across football. “Look at our defenders,” he continues, “I’ve played centre back, Ricardo played centre back, Myles was a midfielder, Ben White was a centre back – Piero and Cristhian as well can play anywhere.
“I think there is less difference between those defensive positions now. It depends on the team, obviously, but yes with us that’s right. With Manchester City too, we saw it with Nathan Ake, who I know from my national team. He played centre back, left back. Then when I played against City Akanji was at left back. When I first came to Arsenal, I came as a right back or a right centre back. I’d never played left back, but in my first game, that’s where I was! Like I say, you just evolve with the team.”
The team’s defensive record so far this season is evidence that the defence is evolving very nicely. Sunderland’s first goal in our last match was the first goal we had conceded in 812 minutes across all competitions. In our 17 games so far we have kept 13 clean sheets and conceded five goals. We also have the best defensive record in the Premier League. Jurrien though knows nothing has been achieved yet, and believes there is still room for improvement. “So far, so good,” he says with a smile.
“We need to keep it going, because it will all mean nothing if we start having goals against us. The mentality we have is that nothing’s done yet. It’s nice, but that’s it. It’s something to take with you as a good feeling, to keep you going as a motivation. It’s nothing to be proud of yet in my opinion. It shows we are getting better, it’s an indicator in that way, but that’s it. “There’s a good connection in the team. It doesn’t even matter who plays in the back line – it’s just the same connection, you know? And also that goes towards our midfield and towards our attack. When you come into this team, there is something that connects each other.”