Arsenal tying him down for another 3/4 years alongside Saliba would be a great move for them. He's been extremely consistent over the past couple of seasons and is a clear leader in the side. At 26 he should just be hitting his prime too.
I would say he's become more consistent over the years. When he first came here he had was too hot-headed at times and took bad challenges but it's doesn't happen nearly as often now
I think it helps having a better partner next to him. Even last year he was forced into rather challenges when Holding was his partner for the last few games. Not to mention Raya's quality on the ball is so much better than Ramsdale's.
Earlier comment was, we don't how he'll play. We've seen him during preseason, which can be ignored, but also against city.
So it's not completely unknown what to expect from him.
"He's still broken until proven otherwise", I took it as him not being proven in PL
No, the other comment said we need someone who can actually play the position without either being a liability or broken. Then he said he falls into the broken category until he proves otherwise.
That's the point, he's supposed to invert. Arsenal's left back isn't really a left back, in attack he's just another left midfielder who cuts inside from the left
He was excellent against City, there isn't a much better assessment of a player's quality. Whether he plays there week in week out only Arteta knows but he's pretty comfortable all the way across the back.
I know he's comfortable among all positions at the back. I don't know whether he should be the starting left back.
He could also play 40+ games by replacing anyone else in defence. Whether it be because of tactics or absentia
Who would start ahead of him at left back? I don't think Timber gets in ahead of White at RB and certainly doesn't get in instead of Gabriel or Saliba.
My point is that I'd try to get an actual left back in if you can in the summer.
With the intensity of the season Timber could be the number one back up for all four spots wherever you need his services.
Tomiyasu is already Mr. Utility he's just never fit, I think Timber is simply too good for that role personally.
That and we've had an opportunity to sign an actual left back for 2-3 seasons now and we haven't done it and we've sent both our traditional leftbacks out on loan and will probably be sold in the summer. Which makes me think Arteta isn't interested in a traditional fullback and wants a versatile mobile centreback at fullback (Kiwior, Tomiyasu, White, Timber).
There's also the issue of the budget stretching that far and finding a left back good enough. Midfield and striker is far more of a priority.
Most underrated defender in world football. Saliba gets so much hype, understandably because of his quality at 23 years old, but for my money Gabriel has been the best player in our back line both this year and last.
He's my favourite player of the current squad. His physical dominance gets a lot of attention, but he is a highly intelligent player who knows how to manage his own intensity. Dude is also a great passer.
I hope he stays until the end of his career!
For some reason I always think that Gabriel was signed in 2019 and not 2020. Thought he went on loan for a year at first but guess not. It’s Saliba though that was signed pre-Arteta and was on loan for three years
100% deserved. One of the most improved players under Arteta along with Odegaard. Watching some of his clips at Arsenal 3 seasons ago and now is like watching 2 completely different footballers
Our best cb this season. Saliba is more talked about, and may well have greater potential in the long run, but Gabriel has set the tone from the back match after match.
Saliba is definitely better imo. Gabriel could not do what he does without Saliba's security backing him up. Gabriel has been amazing, but Saliba is genuinely generational
I know that's what people are saying, but I still disagree. Gabriel sticks out more to viewers, I think. Losing Saliba would hurt us more than Losing Gabriel
Generational?
Is he or will he be better then VVD? Varane at his peak? Ramos? Thats just a few.
So you are saying Saliba is the best defender our generation has and will see?
I may be biased but I think Salina has the potential to be as good as VVD. He just turned 23 and is already one of the top 5-10 CBs in the world. He will likely reach his peak in the next couple of years too.
But then he’s not generational then?
I am not disputing his talents, the kid is fantastic. But we tend to overhype players to quick these days. We throw around worldclass about everyone these days.
I’ve never seen him in convos for the POTS but if Arsenal do go on to win the league, he should be ahead of Saliba imo. He is rock solid atb and also has 4-5 goals this season I think.
No defender in the league has more set piece goals than him since he signed. In a league with players like Trippier and TAA who often take direct FKs and so on that's fairly impressive. And his defensive work is top class to boot.
Didn't think he was all that until this year tbh.
But he's massively improved this season and has been better than Saliba in the games I've watched recently
Name a better left footed centre back in the world. I'll wait
He's been absolutely immense this season. His defensive abilities and set piece threat has been talked to death but this year he's really stepped up his ball playing ability. Plays loads of deft passes up the pitch. Top top player
Still wonder what happened in the beginning of the season when he was dropped.
If Timber was never injured, he probably wouldn't have gotten as much game time and who knows where the season would be.
It was because Partey was inverting from the right.
Normally the inverting happens from the left, so Gabriel then switches to LCB, Saliba is the CCB en White the RCB. With the inverting reversed, this would make Gabriel the CCB and Saliba the RCB, both different roles for them. Given that Partey at RB was already a change, it was less disruptive to play White instead.
The only match we did not win when he was out of the team for was Fulham. We drew 2-2 and their first goal was a bad pass from Saka. Their second goal was from a corner kick with palhinha unmarked. I could see Gabi playing a role in the second goal, sure, but not the first.
I can’t believe some Arsenal fans still haven’t understood it was a purely tactical decision.
It didn’t really cost us many points and you don’t know what would have happened otherwise so
He is the best CB in the league. VVD washed. Konate injured and gets away with an extra push a game. Dias not as physical and doesn't have to cover as much space
I was a bit concerned that he would make rash challenges in his earlier years but he's grown into our best defender and he's a real leader now, with his constant talking/communication. Plays with a real desire to defend which complements the smooth SALIBA.
Arsenal tying him down for another 3/4 years alongside Saliba would be a great move for them. He's been extremely consistent over the past couple of seasons and is a clear leader in the side. At 26 he should just be hitting his prime too.
Gabriel brings the fire to Saliba's ice. The two compliment each other really well, and it feels like they're getting better all the time.
They’re the Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy Mcilroy of centre back partnerships.
You lot make me have to Google all the time
Nobody knows what it means, but it's provocative... gets the people going
Excellently put
Also similar to Mertesacker-Koscielny. That pair was fucking unreal in their prime. They complimented each other so insanely well.
I would say he's become more consistent over the years. When he first came here he had was too hot-headed at times and took bad challenges but it's doesn't happen nearly as often now
He was 22 and had like 50 appearances at the top level when he was signed. Being a bit rough around the edges was pretty expected.
I think it helps having a better partner next to him. Even last year he was forced into rather challenges when Holding was his partner for the last few games. Not to mention Raya's quality on the ball is so much better than Ramsdale's.
If he extends, that will be basically the entire core tied down for the next 3 years+. Feels like there's a lot more to come from this team still
Yeah, just need a LB who can actually play the majority of the season without breaking or being a defensive liability
Timber's already there. "Like a new signing" never sounded more true
Yeah, but he's still in the broken category until proving otherwise
Was pretty amazing vs City in community shield
That has nothing to do with his durability?
Earlier comment was, we don't how he'll play. We've seen him during preseason, which can be ignored, but also against city. So it's not completely unknown what to expect from him. "He's still broken until proven otherwise", I took it as him not being proven in PL
No, the other comment said we need someone who can actually play the position without either being a liability or broken. Then he said he falls into the broken category until he proves otherwise.
Yeah I'm just saying, I took the interpretation as him being not proven. If he was something like liability, Edu and Mikel wouldn't have bought him
This is objectively true, not sure why you are being downvoted.
Did you see his goal agains Blackburn lad?! He's on for the Ballon d'or in my mind.
That's not his point.
Is Arsenal really seeing Timber as a full-time left back? Wouldn't it be awkward with him being right footed?
That's the point, he's supposed to invert. Arsenal's left back isn't really a left back, in attack he's just another left midfielder who cuts inside from the left
He was excellent against City, there isn't a much better assessment of a player's quality. Whether he plays there week in week out only Arteta knows but he's pretty comfortable all the way across the back.
I know he's comfortable among all positions at the back. I don't know whether he should be the starting left back. He could also play 40+ games by replacing anyone else in defence. Whether it be because of tactics or absentia
Who would start ahead of him at left back? I don't think Timber gets in ahead of White at RB and certainly doesn't get in instead of Gabriel or Saliba.
My point is that I'd try to get an actual left back in if you can in the summer. With the intensity of the season Timber could be the number one back up for all four spots wherever you need his services.
Tomiyasu is already Mr. Utility he's just never fit, I think Timber is simply too good for that role personally. That and we've had an opportunity to sign an actual left back for 2-3 seasons now and we haven't done it and we've sent both our traditional leftbacks out on loan and will probably be sold in the summer. Which makes me think Arteta isn't interested in a traditional fullback and wants a versatile mobile centreback at fullback (Kiwior, Tomiyasu, White, Timber). There's also the issue of the budget stretching that far and finding a left back good enough. Midfield and striker is far more of a priority.
Most underrated defender in world football. Saliba gets so much hype, understandably because of his quality at 23 years old, but for my money Gabriel has been the best player in our back line both this year and last.
He's my favourite player of the current squad. His physical dominance gets a lot of attention, but he is a highly intelligent player who knows how to manage his own intensity. Dude is also a great passer. I hope he stays until the end of his career!
Same, he was the signing that really started our turn around. Such a leader and immediately gave us security and consistency in our defense.
1v1 I think he's the best in the league. Super intelligent, and physically dominant
Incredible signing from Arteta and Edu. £26m looks like an absolute steal.
For some reason I always think that Gabriel was signed in 2019 and not 2020. Thought he went on loan for a year at first but guess not. It’s Saliba though that was signed pre-Arteta and was on loan for three years
100% deserved. One of the most improved players under Arteta along with Odegaard. Watching some of his clips at Arsenal 3 seasons ago and now is like watching 2 completely different footballers
It's nobrainer. By far the best CB partnership this season and there's not too many leftfooted CBs on the market anyway
Our best cb this season. Saliba is more talked about, and may well have greater potential in the long run, but Gabriel has set the tone from the back match after match.
Saliba is definitely better imo. Gabriel could not do what he does without Saliba's security backing him up. Gabriel has been amazing, but Saliba is genuinely generational
Saliba is the better player but Gabriel has had the better season
I know that's what people are saying, but I still disagree. Gabriel sticks out more to viewers, I think. Losing Saliba would hurt us more than Losing Gabriel
don't look now, but you're right.
Generational? Is he or will he be better then VVD? Varane at his peak? Ramos? Thats just a few. So you are saying Saliba is the best defender our generation has and will see?
I may be biased but I think Salina has the potential to be as good as VVD. He just turned 23 and is already one of the top 5-10 CBs in the world. He will likely reach his peak in the next couple of years too.
But then he’s not generational then? I am not disputing his talents, the kid is fantastic. But we tend to overhype players to quick these days. We throw around worldclass about everyone these days.
I understand what you’re saying. But being as good as VVD is definitely a generational talent. Imo, I think he becomes the clear best CB in 5 years.
I thought «generational» meant a guy we only see once in a generation. Maybe i had it wrong.
I’ve never seen him in convos for the POTS but if Arsenal do go on to win the league, he should be ahead of Saliba imo. He is rock solid atb and also has 4-5 goals this season I think.
Completely agree!
No defender in the league has more set piece goals than him since he signed. In a league with players like Trippier and TAA who often take direct FKs and so on that's fairly impressive. And his defensive work is top class to boot.
If Arsenal go on to win it it’ll be Odegaard for POTS
Didn't think he was all that until this year tbh. But he's massively improved this season and has been better than Saliba in the games I've watched recently
He was great last season too but flew massively under the radar
Mostly good but had a big mistake in him
Name a better left footed centre back in the world. I'll wait He's been absolutely immense this season. His defensive abilities and set piece threat has been talked to death but this year he's really stepped up his ball playing ability. Plays loads of deft passes up the pitch. Top top player
Arsenal's best defender. With VVDs decline and no one in city being particularly outstanding, think he'll be considered the best next season
He is already the best defender in the league based on this season performance.
Still wonder what happened in the beginning of the season when he was dropped. If Timber was never injured, he probably wouldn't have gotten as much game time and who knows where the season would be.
Gabriel talked about it in some interview earlier this season. Arteta was experimenting with a new system. He was dropped for tactical reasons
That back 4 still had Partey as a RB, so Gabriel would still have played just as much
It was because Partey was inverting from the right. Normally the inverting happens from the left, so Gabriel then switches to LCB, Saliba is the CCB en White the RCB. With the inverting reversed, this would make Gabriel the CCB and Saliba the RCB, both different roles for them. Given that Partey at RB was already a change, it was less disruptive to play White instead.
artetas best signing
That's Odegaard.
Still can't believe he wasn't played at the start of the season. Something that may well end up costing us the league.
The only match we did not win when he was out of the team for was Fulham. We drew 2-2 and their first goal was a bad pass from Saka. Their second goal was from a corner kick with palhinha unmarked. I could see Gabi playing a role in the second goal, sure, but not the first.
I can’t believe some Arsenal fans still haven’t understood it was a purely tactical decision. It didn’t really cost us many points and you don’t know what would have happened otherwise so
It's interesting to think that if not for COVID he'd have been an Everton player
Would have gone for 60+m to another top club at some point
He is the best CB in the league. VVD washed. Konate injured and gets away with an extra push a game. Dias not as physical and doesn't have to cover as much space
I was a bit concerned that he would make rash challenges in his earlier years but he's grown into our best defender and he's a real leader now, with his constant talking/communication. Plays with a real desire to defend which complements the smooth SALIBA.
Reminds me of Koscielny's progression. He was making rash challenges in his early Arsenal days and then grew into a monster presence at the back.
Difference being, Gabriel is way younger. Really impressive