Overview

• Timber started and completed 90 minutes in central defence in the Netherlands’ 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta, contributing to a clean sheet.
• He recorded 92 touches and completed 79 of 83 passes for roughly 95% accuracy, according to match statistics cited by Dutch and Arsenal-focused outlets.
• Playing alongside Virgil van Dijk, Timber earned solid ratings from Dutch media, with several outlets judging him the better performer in the pairing.
• After the match, Timber said he will play wherever required and noted that partnering Van Dijk made the centre-back assignment smoother.
• Mikel Arteta confirmed Arsenal have opened contract talks and said Timber “100 per cent” deserves a new deal, while commentators urge considering him as a centre-back option at club level.