Jurriën Timber

Timber plays right back like an auxiliary midfielder, tucking inside rather than overlapping down the line so Arsenal always have an extra body in central areas. His reading of space lets him step into midfield without leaving an obvious gap behind him, timing the move to when a teammate has covered the width. Converted from a career mostly at centre back, he brings a defender's caution to a role that asks for a midfielder's vision.

The tension is whether that inverted role leaves Arsenal exposed out wide when the winger ahead of him also wants to stay central. Two players both drifting infield can leave the flank empty for an overlapping full back to exploit on the counter. How well he balances tucking inside with protecting the width he leaves behind is worth watching closely.