Ahead of a highly anticipated match in the Champions League, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta extolled the virtues and addition of the new full-backs who have permanently carved out their niche, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori. Each one, he said, has brains, guts, and an ability to be versatile that enhances the general complexion of the team.

Jurrien Timber: Recovery Turns into Resilience

Not an easy one for Jurrien Timber, having joined Arsenal from Ajax, to become one of the key players. He had just joined the club when he underwent ACL surgery, and most of the year was then spent in rehabilitation. So, his return at the end of the previous season was a much-needed landmark in his career. He came in as a bench player this season after being a casualty of the pre-season knock but has since been a regular in the side, playing for six straight Premier League games.

What stands out here, however, is Timber himself and not so much his physique but leadership qualities. Not long ago, ahead of a match, Arteta, during the pre-match press conference, shared some thoughts on Timber’s influence in the camp: “A leader, a guy that is always thinking about how he can help others,” Arteta says. He has been able to raise those around him and show total commitment in only the time he has played so far.

He comes from Ajax and was captain there—a big move to a different country. His expectations were quite high, and then to get injured in the first game. So that’s a very tough time for any player,” Arteta said. His period out of competitive football did not cause him to lose touch; instead, he formed good relationships with the doctors and other players: fantastic emotional intelligence and resilience.

Riccardo Calafiori: The new signing with a fighting spirit

Riccardo Calafiori came to Arsenal in the summer, but it has not taken him very long to start attracting attention from both fans and coaches. Arteta highly praised Calafiori as one of the most eager players for them. On talking about how his first conversation with Calafiori went, Arteta stated that “the moment I spoke with him on the phone, he wanted to come here. He understood what we wanted straight away and felt he was going to be a perfect fit.” This instantaneous fit into the team’s vision has helped Calafiori fit into the team really well.
Arteta further described Calafiori as having high energy and also talked a lot about his positive attitude. “He landed with a big smile on his face; he has this energy and aura around him that is very likable,” he shared. The Italian defender possesses a fighter’s mentality, ready to embody the playing style that Arsenal seeks to implement under Arteta. “When you have those qualities, I think a lot of things have to be wrong not to succeed,” he added, underscoring his belief in Calafiori’s potential.

The full-backs play a vital role in Arteta’s system.
The full-backs play a key part in the tactical game plan of Arteta, and often with a player, it demands them to provide plenty with both defense and attack. Arteta himself has insisted that ideally he needs fullbacks with a “football brain,” meaning someone with the ability to read the play and make quick decisions. It’s not only the abilities of both Timber and Calafiori but also how each of them knows how to work in different spaces on the pitch and create this mutual uncertainty.

They have the intelligence, the courage, the quality, and the adaptability to occupy different spaces, both attacking and defending,” Arteta explained. This versatility not only adds a few extra dimensions in terms of general fluidity in play but also makes the attacking strategies of the team less predictable against an opposing defense.

Arteta added that while attacking input is crucial, the backbone of any good full-back remains their defensive prowess. “They have to love defending first because they are defenders,” he said. This attribute has to be first and foremost in a defender; most of all when you play wingers sideways, and then attackers.

Adjusting to Team Dynamics

With recent key squad members injured, including a supposedly minor knee injury to center-back William Saliba, the partnership of Timber and Calafiori is all that much more vital. Their versatility to play anywhere in the back line speaks to their footballing intellect and preparation. “Playing full-backs on their natural foot, especially when we play inverted attacking midfielders and wingers, is incredibly important for the flow of those units,” Arteta said.

Timber and Calafiori come into the frame as Arsenal prepare for this PSG match. Their work in the last two matches has given the team a huge added depth and hope to the side. How both full-backs tie in with the balance of the rest of the back line will be the most critical feature in the high-stakes environment of European competition.

What Next?

Just as the Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain approaches, so does Arteta’s confidence in his new full-backs. Being resilient and a leader like Timber, together with the fighting spirit and enthusiasm from Calafiori, is indeed fresh energy for the team, while both are true representations of what the manager wants to see from the team: character and ability.

Success, as Arteta says, does not just lie in technical ability but also in the mentality of the team. Still, as the Gunners are about to clash with one of the top clubs in the continent, they will rely on qualities such as those possessed by Timber and Calafiori to spur them to victory. There are, however, high expectations, and with Arteta and a quality backroom in the form of Timber and Calafiori, the performances at international level ought to be good for the Gunners.