Almost Done: Arsenal squad number for Jurrien Timber revealed which may upset William Saliba

Arsenal have perfect squad number for Jurrien Timber which may upset William Saliba

Jurrien Timber may not be able to get his first-choice shirt number if he completes a summer move to Arsenal.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Jurrien Timber

Arsenal transfer news: Jurrien Timber currently wears the No 2 for Ajax and the Netherlands (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal have the perfect squad number available for new summer target Jurrien Timber. However, they would risk upsetting William Saliba if they gave the Dutchman his preferred jersey.

RELATED ARTICLES

Arsenal signing Timber kills two birds with one stone and saves Edu millions

Declan Rice ‘has Arsenal transfer expectation’ as date set for £100m deal
Timber has emerged as Arsenal’s top defensive target. Mikel Arteta wants to sign a right-back and centre-back in this window.

He could fulfil both aims by signing Timber, who has spent time playing in both roles for Ajax. The Athletic claims Arsenal have already seen a £30million bid rejected for the 22-year-old but they are expected to return with an improved offer.

Ajax want £50m but the Gunners are hoping to strike a deal somewhere in the middle. Express Sport looks at what shirt numbers Timber could wear if he completes a move to the Emirates.

Arsenal transfer news: William Saliba will likely want to take the No 2
The No 2 would usually make perfect sense. Timber is likely being brought in to mostly play at right-back, while also providing the option to play centrally.

However, on this occasion, it may be a decision that doesn’t go down well with everyone. Timber has worn the No 2 for the majority of his time in the Ajax first team.

He has also donned the shirt for the Netherlands in most of his 15 international caps. But it is also a number Saliba wants, having worn it with success during his loan at Marseille.

Saliba is set to sign a new contract and Arsenal could tie a number change into the announcement. The Frenchman took the No 12 last summer due to Hector Bellerin not leaving until late in the window.

The last thing Arsenal would want to do is upset Saliba in any way as they finalise his new deal. Perhaps Timber would have to settle for a different number.

theory [QUOTES]
Chelsea first summer signing Nkunku ‘to be announced’ as £60m deal advancing

Arsenal’s new kit for 2023/2024 is a stylish twist on a classic as it reinvents that mid-1990s vibe. A truly modern-looking shirt with a homage to the past, the Nike kit also includes a nod to the club’s iconic Invincible’s side in the finer details while catching the eye with the lightning bolt motif

READ MORE

Arsenal working on £50m deal, Chelsea £60m talks, Son offered £100m
No 22
If Timber really likes the No 2 then 22 is available. Pablo Mari vacated that shirt when he joined Monza on loan.

The Spaniard will not be returning to Arsenal. Monza avoiding relegation from Serie A means they will buy him on a permanent basis.

Arsenal will likely offload several players this summer to make a few more shirt number options available to new signings. Kieran Tierney could leave to make the No 3 free.

Thomas Partey is also linked with an exit, which could open up the No 5. Cedric Soares (No 17), Nicolas Pepe (No 19), Albert Sambi Lokonga (No 23) and Folarin Balogun (No 26) could all be on their way too.