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Jurrien Timber has revealed to football.london that he believes Gabriel Martinelli can help Arsenal thrive in Bukayo Saka’s right wing role.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has expressed confidence in Gabriel Martinelli stepping up to fill the void left by the injured Bukayo Saka. Timber’s comments come as Arsenal prepares to navigate the challenging period without their key winger, who is expected to be sidelined until early March due to a hamstring injury.
Saka, who has been instrumental for Arsenal this season with five goals and ten assists, will be missed. However, Timber believes that Martinelli is more than capable of rising to the occasion. “Of course, it is a bit different to Bukayo,” Timber told football.london. “But Gabi has shown already a couple of times that he can play both sides. He’s a big threat for every defender – and I think he is going to show it, as well.”
Timber’s faith in Martinelli is not unfounded. The Brazilian forward has already demonstrated his versatility and threat on either wing. During Arsenal’s recent match against Ipswich Town, Martinelli successfully filled in on the right flank, showcasing his ability to adapt and contribute to the team’s attack.
The Dutch right-back also emphasized the importance of the team’s resilience and depth. “Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us, what he’s done for us in the last couple of years for Arsenal,” Timber added. “We’re waiting for him to come back, but it’s a nice challenge for the team, we need to step up.”
Timber is confident in Arsenal’s chances as the team prepares for their clash with Brentford on New Year’s Day. “What I heard from the guys is that in the Premier League everything can happen,” he said. “It’s not easy. There are a lot of games coming now and we just have to win every one – cup games, Champions League, and Premier League. Then we’ll see at the end where we stand.
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