Mikel Arteta says he has a truly rare footballer on his hands at Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta has now claimed that he has a truly rare footballer on his hands at Arsenal.

The Gunners own a number of footballing unicorns, such as Declan Rice – a player who possesses speed and dribbling skills that somebody his size really should not have.

Arsenal also have unique players like Kai Havertz, a striker who can also play in central midfield and left-back.

However, Mikel Arteta has now said one Arsenal player can offer something no other footballer at the Emirates Stadium can…

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have a rare footballer

Well, the Spaniard has now highlighted the unique traits of Jurrien Timber.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League clash against Luton Town, Arteta told the Evening Standard: “Jurrien is a main one because he has a quality that nobody else has in the backline to actually effect, especially in the attacking phases, things that we do, in both positions or three positions. We have more flexibility now.”

Arsenal have done well to cope without the Netherlands international.

Timber – who was signed in a £40m deal from Ajax back in July 2023 – only managed to play 50 minutes of Premier League football before suffering a serious knee injury.

The Dutchman is now – however – closing in on a return to action, with Arteta also claiming that the Arsenal No.12 “has got a good chance” of playing again this season.

Jurrien Timber return could see Jakub Kiwior drop out

In the absence of Timber – and with Oleksandr Zinchenko currently out of favour – Jakub Kiwior has been given plenty of game time on the left of defence.

The Poland international was even entrusted to start in the crucial 0-0 draw against Manchester City.

However, we would expect Timber – whose brother Quinten Timber is on Edu’s radar – to come back into that position when he regains full fitness.

Arteta is clearly infatuated with what the 22-year-old brings to his side based on the aforementioned comments, so we highly doubt he will leave such an option on the sidelines by choice.

Hopefully, Timber can play again for Arsenal this season – even in just 50 minutes of Premier League football, the man from Utrecht has already shown just how talented he really is.