Forget about Martin Ødegaard and Ethan Nwaneri; these players won’t be a threat to me on Monday, mark my words. The only player I’m worried about is this specific Arsenal player who scored against me last year. I’ve already told Leny Yoro and Maguire to keep an eye on his movements for me,” said Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana, warning United’s defenders to be cautious of this particular Arsenal player on Sunday.

“Forget about Martin Ødegaard and Ethan Nwaneri; these players won’t be a threat to me on Monday, mark my words. The only player I’m worried about is this specific Arsenal player who scored against me last year. I’ve already told Leny Yoro and Maguire to keep an eye on his movements for me,” Onana declared, signaling a calculated move to unnerve his opponents.

The player in question is none other than Jurrien Timber, the Dutch defender who made a significant impact in his inaugural season with Arsenal. Timber’s journey to the Emirates Stadium began in July 2023, when he transferred from Ajax for £34 million. His versatility and defensive solidity quickly earned him a starting position, but an unfortunate injury in August 2023 sidelined him for several months. Demonstrating resilience, Timber made a triumphant return in May 2024, contributing to Arsenal’s defensive strength in the season’s final matches.

The highlight of Timber’s comeback came on December 4, 2024, when Arsenal faced Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. In a match that showcased Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, Timber opened the scoring by deftly heading in a Declan Rice corner, marking his first goal for the club. This goal set the tone for the game, with fellow defender William Saliba adding a second from another corner, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Gunners. This win not only underscored Arsenal’s dominance in set-piece situations but also highlighted Timber’s offensive capabilities, making him a dual threat on the field.

Onana’s explicit focus on Timber is a testament to the defender’s impact. By instructing defenders Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire to monitor Timber closely, Onana aims to neutralize Arsenal’s aerial threat, particularly during set-pieces where Timber has proven to be lethal. This strategy reflects a broader recognition of Arsenal’s effectiveness from corners, having scored 22 goals from such situations since the start of the previous season, surpassing even the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, Onana’s public comments may serve a dual purpose. While they highlight Timber’s threat, they also place the spotlight on the defender, potentially adding pressure and diverting attention from other Arsenal players who can exploit the focus on Timber. Players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, known for their agility and creativity, could find more space to operate if United’s defense concentrates too heavily on Timber.
As the upcoming match approaches, the tactical chess game between Manchester United and Arsenal intensifies. Onana’s remarks have added an intriguing subplot, setting the stage for a battle not just of physical skills but of psychological strategies. Whether Timber rises to the occasion or becomes a decoy in Arsenal’s broader game plan remains to be seen. One thing is certain: all eyes will be on this specific Arsenal player c

ome Monday.

In the high-stakes world of Premier League football, psychological tactics often play as crucial a role as physical prowess. Manchester United’s goalkeeper, André Onana, recently employed such a strategy, diverting attention from Arsenal’s rising stars, Martin Ødegaard and Ethan Nwaneri, to focus on a specific threat from the Gunners’ camp.

“Forget about Martin Ødegaard and Ethan Nwaneri; these players won’t be a threat to me on Monday, mark my words. The only player I’m worried about is this specific Arsenal player who scored against me last year. I’ve already told Leny Yoro and Maguire to keep an eye on his movements for me,” Onana declared, signaling a calculated move to unnerve his opponents.

The player in question is none other than Jurrien Timber, the Dutch defender who made a significant impact in his inaugural season with Arsenal. Timber’s journey to the Emirates Stadium began in July 2023, when he transferred from Ajax for £34 million. His versatility and defensive solidity quickly earned him a starting position, but an unfortunate injury in August 2023 sidelined him for several months. Demonstrating resilience, Timber made a triumphant return in May 2024, contributing to Arsenal’s defensive strength in the season’s final matches.

The highlight of Timber’s comeback came on December 4, 2024, when Arsenal faced Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. In a match that showcased Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, Timber opened the scoring by deftly heading in a Declan Rice corner, marking his first goal for the club. This goal set the tone for the game, with fellow defender William Saliba adding a second from another corner, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Gunners. This win not only underscored Arsenal’s dominance in set-piece situations but also highlighted Timber’s offensive capabilities, making him a dual threat on the field.

Onana’s explicit focus on Timber is a testament to the defender’s impact. By instructing defenders Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire to monitor Timber closely, Onana aims to neutralize Arsenal’s aerial threat, particularly during set-pieces where Timber has proven to be lethal. This strategy reflects a broader recognition of Arsenal’s effectiveness from corners, having scored 22 goals from such situations since the start of the previous season, surpassing even the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, Onana’s public comments may serve a dual purpose. While they highlight Timber’s threat, they also place the spotlight on the defender, potentially adding pressure and diverting attention from other Arsenal players who can exploit the focus on Timber. Players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, known for their agility and creativity, could find more space to operate if United’s defense concentrates too heavily on Timber.

As the upcoming match approaches, the tactical chess game between Manchester United and Arsenal intensifies. Onana’s remarks have added an intriguing subplot, setting the stage for a battle not just of physical skills but of psychological strategies. Whether Timber rises to the occasion or becomes a decoy in Arsenal’s broader game plan remains to be seen. One thing is certain: all eyes will be on this specific Arsenal player come Monday.