Nah, I don't care much about stats. You couldn't make that kind of compilation out of Zinch'es defensive contributions. Physicality and tackling look different class. We'll see about interceptions and reading of the game, but I've seen him described as an intelligent player, so I'm hopeful.

HomeSteak I have re-analysed more of his defensive stats, I think its apparent he is weak in the air but the rest of his defensive game is fine.

      Clrnc yep. He's especially good in the tackle. Needs to get up to speed aerially.

        lorddulaarsenal Looks a real competitor

        Defensively he gives me the complete opposite feeling of what I was mesmerised by when I first watched Saliba videos as we were about to sign him. Saliba was calm defensively, never too far ot too close to his man, when it came time to win the ball he would just manage to find a way to outpower the attacker and get his body between the ball and man and come away with the ball without even making a tackle.

        I haven't seen a lot of Timber defensively (his other videos focus on his on the ball play) and I've only watched the first minute of this video (will watch the rest when i get home) Timber seems very aggressive, slides quite frequently and is always putting his foot in, very Ligue 1 Gabrielesque and I was quite wrong about worrying about his potential rashness and possibly getting sent off.

            Don't know why he's a CB in the first place but his style looks similar to White when he first joined, very front foot stuff and can get done because of that. Not sure him+Gabi would be a good combo if Saliba sits out.

            • est replied to this.

              Big Willie yes aggressive front foot defending is often a worry. By many accounts it sounds like Timber can occasionally get caught out, but it appears to me he’s successful with it as he reads the intention of the attacker and anticipates where they’ll move to and how they’ll manipulate the ball. It’s more considered than someone who dives in with a hint of desperation (ala Mustafi say)

                banduan Reminds me of Koscielny a bit. Very aggressive in getting his foot to the ball early.

                    Charles Watts speaks to Jaap Stam about Timber, interesting listen:

                    est He gives away alot of fouls. I suspect he will take awhile to adapt to the league. Need to strengthen up but the ingredients are there to be world class for him. Like Stones

                      Clrnc Stats can be helpful but I don't think they can give you a feel for a player. We'll just need to see how he settles into a new team and a new league.

                      I think it was Nelson Mandela that said "Stats are all very well and good until you get punched in the mouth."

                        6 days later

                        Good signing, around £34m rising up to £38.5m which I think in the current market represents good value. The guy had an off season but so did Ajax. He's only 22 so will only get better but has a lot going for him. Think he will have a really good season for us.

                        Wonder if in tougher games we will be more inclined to go with a stronger LB and then play Timber on the right and let him step into midfield. While Zinchenko excels when he steps into the middle he is defensively very vulnerable. Assuming Tierney leaves we could go with Kiwior on the left. Also Zinchenko is a bit injury prone so need to make sure we can adjust the system when needed.

                        Took them long enough to announce it. Excited to see him play for us

                        Now if we would just announce the other guy.. haha.

                        the lack of defensive depth really stung arteta last season. it's become apparent that defense and the progressive components therein are a key focus area for him, considering how much coin we've pumped into that area in the last 3 years. a far cry from the Wenger years, to be sure