Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has said he willing to play wherever Ronald Koeman needs him following a position change while on international duty.
Timber started and played the full 90 minutes for the Netherlands in their comfortable 4-0 win over Malta on Thursday evening in World Cup qualification.
It was the 24-year-old’s first start for the national team in just under a year, and he was tasked with operating in central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.
For Arsenal, Timber has been deployed at right-back by manager Mikel Arteta this season but the defender says his versatility is one of his strengths.
Speaking to reporters after the Malta game, Timber said: "I play wherever the manager needs me. I think it's one of my strengths that I can play in multiple positions.”
Timber believes playing alongside Liverpool captain Van Dijk made it easier for him to prove he can be an option for the Dutch at centre-back in the future.
He added: "I've been able to prove myself at center-back, and of course, someone like Virgil makes it easier.
"We kept a clean sheet, we're scoring good goals. So we can be quite satisfied."
Timber has started seven of Arsenal’s 10 games across all competitions so far this season and is set to be rewarded for his fine form with a new deal.
The Gunners have now opened contract talks with the defender’s representatives and Arteta has expressed his desire for the Dutchman to sign fresh terms.
Asked if Timber was a case of a player deserving a new contract, Arteta replied: “Yes, 100 per cent.
“And especially the players that they want to be with us, and we want to attach our futures with them.
“And Jurrien is a really good example of someone that, especially under very difficult circumstances with a very early injury in his career, with a really difficult injury, the way he’s come back and what he’s doing for the team, it's phenomenal.
“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. I don’t know how people rate him, but hopefully a lot because when you’re talking about a total player, he has almost every quality that you want from a defender.”
