Following a brilliant performance for the Netherlands on October 10, 2025, national team manager Ronald Koeman has sparked a major debate in the football world by suggesting that Arsenal may be underutilizing Jurrien Timber. According to Koeman, Timber was outstanding in a more advanced position on the right flank — a stark contrast to the defensive roles he’s been assigned at Arsenal — and this change in positioning unlocked an entirely different side of his game.
Since joining Arsenal from Ajax in 2023, Timber has been used primarily as a right-back or occasionally as a centre-back under Mikel Arteta’s system. His role has largely been defined by defensive duties, ball progression from deep, and maintaining tactical discipline. But under Koeman’s guidance for the Netherlands, Timber was deployed in a more offensive role, and the results were impossible to ignore.
Koeman didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, saying:
“I think Mikel [Arteta] is using him incorrectly after what I saw yesterday. Jurrien has the speed, vision, and technical ability to dominate further up the pitch. He was aggressive, composed, and creative for us. That’s where he belongs — influencing the attack, not sitting too deep.”
This performance — and Koeman’s comments — have quickly fueled discussions among fans, pundits, and analysts. Timber was a standout performer in the game, showcasing remarkable pace, excellent passing range, intelligent positioning, and a relentless drive on the right flank. His attacking contributions were a key element of the Netherlands’ success on the night, with overlapping runs and accurate crosses that consistently troubled the opposition defense.
Dutch media were quick to praise him, calling him “a player reborn when given attacking freedom.” Notably, Timber reportedly covered more distance than any other player on the pitch, highlighting both his fitness and willingness to take on a more demanding, box-to-box style role.
For Arsenal, the implications are interesting — especially with the club currently navigating injury setbacks to key defensive players such as Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Timber’s versatility has always been considered one of his biggest assets, but this recent performance suggests that he might offer even more value when positioned higher up the pitch. A shift to wing-back or even wide midfield could inject much-needed energy, width, and creativity into Arsenal’s play.
Arteta’s system, which prioritizes control, structured buildup, and positional discipline, may be limiting Timber’s freedom to express himself offensively. While such a system has its strengths — especially in terms of defensive solidity — it might also be suppressing the full range of Timber’s abilities.
The reaction from fans on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with many now calling for Arteta to rethink Timber’s role. One fan wrote, “Arteta has a gem and doesn’t even realize it — Timber was world-class for the Netherlands.” Another commented, “Imagine Saka and Timber linking up on the right. That could be unstoppable.”
With Timber regaining match fitness after a lengthy injury layoff, this may be the perfect moment for Arteta to explore new tactical options. Whether it’s as a wing-back in a more fluid system or even as an attacking wide midfielder, giving Timber more attacking license could add a new dimension to Arsenal’s already dynamic squad.
As Arsenal continue to chase domestic and European success, unlocking the full potential of players like Jurrien Timber might be key. Ronald Koeman has provided the blueprint — now it’s up to Arteta to decide whether he’ll follow it.
