Overview

• Timber started alongside Virgil van Dijk and completed 90 minutes at centre-back in the Netherlands’ 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta.
• He registered around 92 touches with roughly 95% pass accuracy and completed a game-high 75 passes, adding defensive interventions and two chances created.
• Dutch outlets rated Timber’s display higher than Van Dijk’s, reinforcing perceptions that he handled the central role with authority despite limited recent starts for the national team.
• Arsenal primarily deploys Timber at right-back, but club-focused analysts argue he could cover William Saliba or be trialed centrally, with Cristhian Mosquera currently next in line at right centre-back.
• Post-match, Timber said he will play wherever needed and credited Van Dijk’s influence, while Arteta publicly lauded him as a near ‘total’ defender and confirmed talks over a new deal.