Seven games into the season and Arsenal top the Premier League. Many now have the Gunners down as title favourites, and it’s easy to see why.
They’ve lost just once in the league, have scored the second most goals (14) and conceded the fewest (3). With Liverpool stuttering and Manchester City having shown signs of weakness, this should be the year Arsenal go the distance after a couple of false dawns.
The north London side invested well over the summer. They have an out-and-out number nine in Viktor Gyokeres. Bukayo Saka has cover and competition on the right following Noni Madueke’s arrival. Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard strengthen the midfield. Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Norgaard are quality defensive additions.
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However, while the new signings continue to impress, it’s a familiar face that is drawing the plaudits. Jurrien Timber endured a tough first campaign in England. On his Premier League debut, the Dutchman suffered an ACL injury. He wouldn’t play again until the final day of the 2023-24 season.
The injury, though, could have proved a blessing. Timber had more time to adjust to a new way of living in England. Out of the harsh footballing spotlight, the defender was able to recover in peace and settle into his new surroundings. Unsurprisingly, Timber came back stronger.
Last season, he started 27 of 38 league matches, and made a further three sub appearances. This season, he’s been involved in all seven Premier League games to date. There’s also an argument to be made that Timber is far and away the best right-back in the Premier League.
Timber’s evolution from centre-back to right-back
Competition was previously rife for the award. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s attacking qualities saw him stake a claim for the accolade during his time at Liverpool. Reece James – when fit – is one of the best in the game. Pedro Porro and Daniel Munoz are other rivals to the crown. However, if we’re going by 2025-26 alone, then Timber is far and away the best.
During his Ajax days, Timber was considered a ball-playing centre-back who could operate at right-back. Indeed, he’d instigate attacks from defence and his distribution ensured the Dutch side would regularly dominate games. Fast-forward to the present day, and he’s started just one Premier League match at the heart of the defence.
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With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes the first choice pairing for Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard has taken to largely using four centre-backs across the backline. Timber, along with former Bologna man Riccardo Calafiori, aren’t tasked with remaining compact to keep opponents out. Rather, the pair will so often take up advanced positions in the final third.
Impressive attacking numbers
Calafiori, for example, has had more shots (14) than Mohamed Salah (12) in England’s top tier this term. Arteta grants his full-backs the license to push upfield, and Timber doesn’t need a second invitation to help stretch the play. The Netherlands international has had the fourth most touches (408) of Premier League full-backs this season. He’s had at least eight more touches in the opposition box (24) than any other right or left-back.
With the right winger – be it Saka or Madueke – required to cut infield, Timber is able to maximise the space presented to him to overlap and stretch opponents. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that 39% of Arsenal’s attacks this season have come down the right, the third highest proportion in the division. Nor should it be a shock that Timber is the only full-back to have won a penalty.
And when the space is created when he breaks forward, Timber is a handy attacking outlet down the right. Eight chances created from open play is the most of all full-backs in the Premier League this season, this despite registering 523 of a possible 630 minutes (83%) in 2025-26.
Combining defensive duties
Off the ball, Timber has been putting up impressive numbers, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s a robust operator who doesn’t take any prisoners when it comes to winning possession. 25 tackles ranks second to Tyrick Mitchell (27) of full-backs, and third overall. In addition, Timber’s been dribbled past just four times to return an 86.2% tackle success rate. Good luck getting the better of the 24-year-old.
This defensive resolve is one of the core reasons that’ll back up an argument by those proclaiming Timber the best right-back in the league. While Trent on his day is a supreme creator, many were quick to highlight his lack of defensive resolve as a reason why he didn’t deserve the gong prior to his Real Madrid switch. James’ injury issues continue to hold him back, while Porro’s off-the-ball work is still rightly questioned.
Munoz is arguably Timber’s closest competitor, yet the Colombian starts in a more advanced wing-back role to help boost his offensive numbers. Timber’s all-round play, combining attacking qualities with defensive awareness along with a commendable ability to pick out a teammate means the Arsenal man is arguably the best in his position in the Premier League.
In Europe as a whole, too, few would rival the Gunners man. PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Barcelona star Jules Kounde are arguably Timber’s closest challengers for the mantle, and there is an argument to be made any of the three deserve the gong. In the Premier League, however, it’s Timber who eases to top spot.