Full Breakdown
Gary Neville Declares Jurrien Timber the Premier League's Best Full-Back
10/26/2025, 1:29:03 PM
Gary Neville's Assessment of Arsenal's Full-Backs
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has made headlines by proclaiming Arsenal's Jurrien Timber as the best full-back in the Premier League. Speaking on the show The Overlap, Neville asserted that Timber outshines all other full-backs in the league, including those at Liverpool, stating, “Timber is the best full-back in the league at the moment.” He emphasized that all of Arsenal's full-backs, including Timber, Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori, are superior to Liverpool's options, which include Andy Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong.
Jurrien Timber's Rise and Contract Negotiations
Timber, who joined Arsenal from Ajax for £38.5 million, has significantly improved since recovering from an ACL injury that limited his first season. His performances have led to discussions about a new contract that could see his salary increase from £90,000 to approximately £200,000 per week. The ongoing negotiations are reportedly positive, with both the player and the club eager to extend their relationship.
Comparisons with Dani Carvajal
Neville's praise for Timber extends beyond the Premier League, as he likened him to Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, whom he considers the best full-back globally. Neville stated, “I think Timber is almost, in my mind, I would class as being… do you know the guy that plays for Real Madrid? Carvajal. For me, he’s the best. And I think Timber’s the nearest to him at the moment.” This comparison underscores Timber's versatility and effectiveness in both defensive and offensive roles.
Arsenal's Defensive Strength
Arsenal's defensive unit has been a key factor in their strong performance this season, having conceded only three goals in 12 matches across all competitions. This defensive solidity has positioned Arsenal as serious contenders for the Premier League title, with Neville noting that their depth in full-back positions presents a significant challenge for rivals like Liverpool.
Criticism of Liverpool's Full-Backs
Neville's comments come amid a challenging period for Liverpool, who have struggled defensively, conceding 18 goals in 13 matches. Critics argue that while Arsenal's full-backs have excelled, Liverpool's options have not met expectations, particularly with Robertson's recent decline in form. Some observers caution that it may be premature to declare Arsenal's full-backs as definitively superior, given the historical prowess of Liverpool's defensive players.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Timber is the best full-back in the league at the moment.” — Gary Neville, Former Manchester United Defender
- “I think Timber is almost, in my mind, I would class as being… do you know the guy that plays for Real Madrid? Carvajal. For me, he’s the best. And I think Timber’s the nearest to him at the moment, I see, in terms of being able to do that bit and do that bit, do the forward bit well enough, but definitely cuts everything off down his side.” — Gary Neville
Conclusion
Gary Neville's endorsement of Jurrien Timber as the best full-back in the Premier League highlights the growing recognition of Arsenal's defensive capabilities. As Timber approaches a new contract, his contributions will be pivotal in Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League title, while Liverpool faces the challenge of addressing their defensive shortcomings.
