Oleksandr Zinchenko hails ‘incredible’ Arsenal signing Jurrien Timber

Oleksandr Zinchenko has given Jurrien Timber his seal of approval and says the Arsenal summer signing is ‘maybe better than me’.

The Gunners spent almost £40m to sign Netherlands defender Timber from Eredivisie side Ajax.

Timber, 22, can play as a right-back or in central defence and was linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich before completing a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Zinchenko’s Praise for Timber

Despite being at Arsenal for less than three weeks, the Dutchman has already won over some of his new team-mates, with Zinchenko insisting Arsenal have signed an ‘incredible’ talent.

Given his ability to play as an inverted full-back, Timber has drawn comparisons to Zinchenko and the Ukrainian insists he could be even better.

‘Maybe he is [similar], but maybe better than me,’ Zinchenko said in an interview with Arsenal’s official programme. ‘I’m sure he is 100 per cent going to show us what he can do, and will really help us.

‘I do know about him because I watched him and followed the way he played at Ajax. Also, I played against him for the national team so I know about him as a player, what amazing qualities he has, and now I know him off the pitch.

‘He’s a great guy, another incredible signing for Arsenal who will help us a lot.’

Arsenal’s Summer Signings

Timber is one of three new signings at Arsenal along with England midfielder Declan Rice and Germany forward Kai Havertz.

Mikel Arteta was keen to bolster his squad at the Emirates Stadium following a season in which Arsenal almost won their first Premier League title since 2004, eventually finishing five points behind Manchester City.

The Gunners face Man City in Sunday’s Community Shield final before turning their attentions to a Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on August 12.

Follow Metro Sport for More

For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.