Jurrien Timber's former coach Jaap Stam has pointed to the defender's ability to play on the right or in the centre, prompting questions about how Mikel Arteta might plan to use the Dutchman.
Timber is on the verge of completing a move to the Emirates Stadium in a transfer worth around £40m including add-ons. The 22-year-old has already made more than 100 appearances for Ajax, as well as representing the Netherlands at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
He was one of three centre-backs used by Oranje manager Louis van Gaal in Qatar, with Denzel Dumfries occupying the right wing-back role. And former Man Utd centre-back Stam, who coached Timber in Ajax's youth set-up has shed more light on his versatility.
“When you are a Dutch player and you have grown in a Dutch academy then people expect a lot from you, even when you are a defender in terms of carrying the ball," Stam told charleswatts.football. "He’s quick. He can play as a centre-back and as a right-back as well, so he’s very versatile."
Stam's assessment suggests there are no guarantees when it comes to whose place Timber will take in the side. Right-back Ben White was one of the obvious contenders, but there is the option of using Timber in the middle - certainly in a three if not a two - or even further forward.
The versatility and pace could allow Timber to offer a presence similar to that provided by Oleksandr Zinchenko but on the opposite side. With Arteta using a fluid system last season, the malleability of the new arrival should suit the manager well.
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"In the last 10 years, the full-backs were very athletic, physical players," former Germany captain Philipp Lahm told Sky Sports, reflecting on the evolution of his own position. "Now I think it has changed a little bit. There are more technical players."
Timber is one of three high-profile signings on his way to Arsenal this summer, with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice the others. He is also one of a number of players to move to England after playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Another of those, centre-back Lisandro Martinez, has quickly adapted to English football despite early questions over his physicality. While Stam didn't mention the Argentine by name, his comments about Timber call to mind his former club colleague.
“Timber is not the biggest, but you need to be clever at times in your duels and one v ones in how you approach them," the former Netherlands star said. "There are other players who last season came into the Premier League who are not the biggest and did very well. So I don’t think it’s a worry.”
