If you want to know how good Jurrien Timber’s start to the season has been, then two statistics sum it up.
After seven Premier League games, Timber is ranked No1 in the Arsenal squad for both tackles and chances created from open play.
Simply put, the Dutchman is performing brilliantly at both ends of the pitch and there is an argument that he is the best right-back in the Premier League right now.
It is why Arsenal are in talks with Timber’s representatives about a new contract.
The 24-year-old still has over two years to run on his current deal, but the Gunners want to reward him for his fine performances.
After suffering a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut two years ago, Timber has become a key part of Arsenal’s defence and one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players.
“The way he’s come back and what he’s doing for the team is phenomenal,” said Arteta.
“I think he’s a really good example of another one that hopefully is going to have a long career with us.
“I rate him a lot. When you’re talking about a total player, he has almost every quality that you want from a defender.”
Timber has played across the defence during his time at Arsenal, impressing at left-back on occasion, but the club’s plan when they signed him was always for him to be a right-back.
Club scouts viewed him as an athletic defender - strong, mobile and outstanding in one-v-one situations. They liked his speed and power, and how combative he was in duels.
He has emphatically lived up to that billing. Not only is he No1 in the Arsenal squad for tackles in the Premier League this season, he is also top for ground duels won.
Scouts also noted his ability on the ball, and that has started to flourish this season.
He is top in the squad for chances created from open play and No1 for through balls, too.
Timber also ranks second for successful passes in the final third and progressive carries leading to a chance.
It is a level of form that has kept Ben White out of the team and restricted him to just three starts this season.
White has, in fairness, been battling injury and, even when he has played, the 28-year-old has done little wrong.
In truth, it is more a case of Timber playing so well that Arteta has had no choice but to keep picking him.
How Arteta manages the situation over the season will be fascinating. Arsenal have built great squad depth this summer with their spending, but nowhere is competition fiercer than at right-back.
White is, in the eyes of many at Arsenal, the most competitive man at the club and he will fight hard to win his place back.
It is a welcome headache for Arteta, who spent much of last season patching up his side and filling the bench with academy players.
Arteta has long stressed the need for more competition in the squad, convinced it would raise overall standards.
It certainly seems to be doing so with Timber, who has gone up a gear this season after benefiting from a clear summer.
Timber has always excelled defensively for Arsenal, but now he is starting to show how dangerous he can be in attack.
Over the past few games, there has been evidence of a growing connection with Bukayo Saka, as the pair have combined brilliantly.
The right flank has long been Arsenal’s biggest weapon thanks to Saka - and Timber’s form will ensure it stays that way.
