Arsenal FC v LOSC Lille - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
For many Arsenal fans right now, the worry over Bukayo Saka’s injury and how it might impact the team in the coming weeks is an issue.
Saka is set for a spell on the sidelines and with Christos Tzolis also injured on the left side, Arsenal suddenly look short of options in the wide areas.
Of course, Noni Madueke will be hoping to take his chance and naturally, he’ll be the one Mikel Arteta goes to.
However, there are potentially other options for Arteta to turn to as well and one of those could well be a surprising choice from the defensive ranks.
Jurrien Timber can help fill the void left by Bukayo Saka
Arsenal are tragically short of options out wide now. While someone like Max Dowman might get a chance with Saka out, Arteta is going to have to be smart about his selections too.
Step forward, then, Jurrien Timber.
Many might see Timber as a key player defensively but as we saw recently in the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, Timber’s impact in the final third was massive. Not only did the Dutchman inject fresh impetus into the game at Forest, it was obvious he has the skills to make an impression in the final third.
Time and again, Timber got at his full-back and also ran beyond, causing nightmares for the Forest defence.
Jurrien Timber stats 26/27
Indeed, on that evidence alone in that one game, it showed that Timber is very much good to contribute in an attacking sense if needed. Right now, Arsenal are well stocked with defenders, meaning the returning Timber could well be utilised elsewhere.
With Saka out and the pressure on Madueke to deliver, the idea of putting a quality operator like Timber in on the right-hand side must be tempting for Mikel Arteta.