Timber’s Arsenal move reveals changing role of full-back

Jurrien Timber looks a smart acquisition by Arsenal regardless of the positional plans for him. At 22, he has made over 200 appearances for Ajax, making more passes than any other player in the Eredivisie last season. This is a strong and composed defender.

Nevertheless, it has been striking that Arsenal have briefed the media of their plans to utilise him at right-back. Timber has operated in the centre for much of his career. His only start as a right-back last season came in a 4-0 international defeat to France.

There has been a tactical shift in the Premier League and it has happened quickly. It was not so long ago that the logical evolution of the full-back role was expected to be very different. The trend was towards attack-minded runners marauding up the flank.