Micah Richards Praises Jurrien Timber as Arsenal Star’s Form Overshadows £50m Teammate

Richards says the rising Jurrien Timber Arsenal momentum is clear as the defender’s form pushes Ben White out of the spotlight.

Micah Richards has hailed Jurrien Timber Arsenal form as “exceptional,” insisting the defender has been so impressive that fans have stopped talking about £50m teammate Ben White. Arsenal’s dominant 4-1 win over Tottenham created the perfect platform for Timber’s influence to shine, even on a night when Eberechi Eze produced a historic hat-trick.

Arsenal took control early when Leandro Trossard opened the scoring, before Eze exploded with three brilliant goals to become the first player in Premier League history to score a North London Derby hat-trick. Yet Timber’s performance at right-back stood out in its own right. He shut down Wilson Odobert defensively while also contributing in attack, delivering the assist for Eze’s second goal.

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Micah Richards, speaking on The Rest is Football after the game, expressed admiration for Timber’s impact.

He described the 23-year-old as “exceptional,” emphasising how quickly he has settled into English football.

Richards noted that Timber has become so consistent that “people don’t talk about Ben White anymore,” despite White being a £50m signing and a mainstay under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons.

Timber has now started 12 straight Premier League matches, underlining his growing importance in Arteta’s tactical setup.

Changing Dynamics: Timber Surges Ahead of Ben White

Ben White arrived from Brighton in 2021 as a centrepiece of Arsenal’s defensive rebuild, offering versatility as both a centre-back and right-back. But the emergence of Timber has shifted the narrative.

Timber’s elite combination of defensive strength, composure on the ball, and attacking output has given Arsenal a new dimension down the right flank. His ability to break lines, overlap, and defend aggressively has made him look like the natural first-choice option. As a result, White — once considered undroppable — has found his influence increasingly overshadowed.

Timber’s breakthrough comes at a crucial time for Arsenal.
The Gunners hold a six‑point lead in the Premier League.

They are unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions.
Timber’s consistency has made their defense one of Europe’s most reliable.

Richards believes Timber’s form could be vital in Arsenal’s push for both domestic and European success. His ability to elevate performances on the biggest stages adds a new layer of confidence to Arteta’s title-chasing squad.

Micah Richards’ glowing praise highlights a major shift in Arsenal’s defensive hierarchy. While Ben White remains a high-profile player, Jurrien Timber’s exceptional form has transformed him into one of Arteta’s most important assets.

His blend of defensive discipline, attacking intelligence, and consistent performances has strengthened Arsenal’s title credentials and redefined what the right-back role looks like at the club.

Timber hasn’t just impressed — he’s raised the standard and left a £50m teammate in the shadows.

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