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

      JazzG did he die while scoring the winning goal in a CL final or move to Arsenal?

        Versatility, depth, tactical flexibility and as I suggested in the transfer thread, perhaps could breathe new life into Kieran Tierney's Arsenal career.

        We have a really good mix of attacking and defending fullback now.. Let hope Arteta can figure out the best way and time to mix and match between them as will add so much variaty to our play

        On a complete side-note can we consign these photos of players mock-celebrating (etc ) in their photoshoots to the history bin? They're fucking cringe...does anyone actually like them?

        Good signing hopefully means we don't have to watch Cedric/Holding play for us again.

        I also hope this signing means we can find a suitable role for Tierney at LB rather than asking him to play like Zinchenko.