Three ways Arsenal can line up in defence after signing Jurrien Timber from Ajaxemira

With the acquisition of Timber from Ajax, Arteta looks to make Arsenal a strong challenger for the title.

Arsenal progressed distinctly last season to develop into firm title contenders, and Mikel Arteta will be hoping to continue on the same trajectory in the upcoming campaign. The arrivals of Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice are expected to add further quality to the squad, whilst also providing further options so that the team can be rotated. Mikel Arteta has carefully scouted Jurrien Timber away from Ten Haag and Man United to ensure he will have a crucial place in his Arsenal team for the 2023-24 campaign.

Playing as a full-back in Ajax's system that gives him the freedom to invert and play on either side of the defense. Timber has developed a unique skill that not many defenders have at such a high level and his tactical versatility makes him the perfect signing for Arteta.

3. Zinchenko (LB), Gabreil (CB), Saliba (CB), Jurrien Timber (RB)

It already is looking to be an interesting signing now when the move and negotiations have gone ahead as planned. Arteta finds himself in a fix and would be happy with this headache because Arteta have to decide between two players comfortable as center-backs and right-backs: Timber and Ben White.

Timber is the younger and more high-profile name, but White was exceptional on the right flank for Arsenal this season. Either way, whether he dislodged White or Gabriel, Arteta would say such squad depth only makes their chances of a repeated title challenge more likely. It will also be interesting to see how Timber will fit in this new role and defense where he will take some time to find his stride.

2. Timber (LCB), Saliba (CB), White (RCB)

The Gunners now have the squad depth to be able to compete for both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, apart from the Premier League and Champions League. Diverting away from the 4-3-3 may be deemed too risky for fringe players so a sprinkling of experience in defence and midfield will keep the system ticking. Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Nketiah will all hope to make their mark when opportunities come their way, and lining up with the trio could see them develop significantly.

Arsenal have had the players to facilitate a back-three system since last summer, and next season could see the formation trialed. Timber and White both possess the speed to play in a three-man defense, whilst William Saliba is somewhat irreplaceable at the Emirates Stadium. Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka have both played as defensive-minded wide players previously and could also benefit from the system which would allow Odegaard to push forward knowing he has the security of a midfield pivot of Rice and Thomas Partey (if he remains at the club) behind him.

1. Zinchenko (LB), Timber (CB), Saliba (CB), White (RB)

Given the success of last season, it feels unlikely that Arteta will drop Ben White for Timber upon his arrival. However, the departure of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen means that Rice is certain to slot straight into the Arsenal midfield. Captain Martin Odegaard could be shifted into a more box-to-box role to facilitate Havertz, who has been acquired as a midfielder rather than a forward.

In the final third, Arteta’s tried and tested trio are likely to lead the line at the Emirates Stadium next season unless new signings arrive. While Timber could line up alongside William Saliba in a new center-back pairing in the 4-2-3-1 system that Mikel Arteta currently deploys, he would more likely be utilized at right-back, mirroring the tucking-in that Oleksandr Zinchenko does on the other side.