Joe is a feature writer who has been working in sports media for a year.
Since graduating from UCFB Etihad Campus in 2023, where he studied multimedia sports journalism, Joe spent 18 months as a freelance social media assistant for Statman Dave.
His experience in football writing includes writing for Utd District and Attacking Football. Joe also hosts a podcast and does freelance writing within cricket.
It was yet another busy summer for Arsenal, who focused on adding quality depth to improve their squad ahead of the new season. For the last few years, the Gunners have finished second in the Premier League, twice to Manchester City and once, most recently, to Liverpool.
Another busy summer was had at the Emirates Stadium, in an effort to break the cycle of second-place finishes they find themselves in. Eight major signings were made, although Mikel Arteta’s side have not started the season well, but not flawlessly. They sit in second place on 10 points, five behind Liverpool.
However, the new signings have hit the ground running, with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze two of the most impressive.
Madueke and Eze’s start to life at Arsenal
England international Madueke joined the Gunners from Chelsea back in July. He cost Arteta’s side £48.5m, and has made a strong start to life at the Emirates Stadium. Although he’s yet to register a goal involvement, the winger creates an average of 2.3 chances per game in the Premier League.
The good form on show at the start of his Arsenal career from the England international has left many people impressed. One of those is BBC Sport’s tactics correspondent Umir Irfan, who said the winger has been “sensational” for the Gunners so far.
It is not just Madueke who has shone in an Arsenal shirt already. Eze, too, has been impressive. The England international completed a dream move to North London after previously playing for the club’s academy in his youth.
In seven appearances and 470 minutes for the Gunners so far, the former Crystal Palace star has one goal and two assists. That includes a sensational pass for Gabriel Martinelli to set up a crucial equaliser against Man City last weekend.
Both Madueke and Eze have performed well for the Gunners this season and are already key parts of Arteta’s squad. There is another key player who has also performed well, and is valued even higher than the England duo.
The Arsenal star worth more than Madueke and Eze
Arsenal’s summer signings have certainly enhanced an already talented squad, which can hopefully push them over the line for the Premier League title. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are two examples of that.
Well, another man who could be considered in that same bracket is talented defender Jurrien Timber, who signed for the club from Ajax for £38m in 2023. The Dutchman, described as a “diamond” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has cemented himself as Arteta’s first-choice right-back this season.
The former Ajax star has played 90 minutes in the last three of Arsenal’s Premier League matches and in their Champions League win over Athletic Club. His 64-minute performance against Leeds United saw him score twice and assist once, too.
Despite being in his third year as a Gunner, the 24-year-old missed almost all of his first season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Last season, he also missed a few games due to fitness issues.
But Timber has fully recovered now. The defender has shown this season just how good he is, which the stats back up. For example, per 90 minutes this season, he’s averaged 5.4 tackles and interceptions and 1.5 key passes.
Timber key stats 25/26 all comps
Stat
Per 90 mins
Season total
Minutes
72.2
433
Key passes
1.5
7
Passes completed
36.8
177
Tackles and interceptions
5.4
26
Expected goal involvements
0.35xGI
1.67
Stats from Sofascore
With form like that in mind, it may not come as a shock that Timber is worth even more than both Madueke and Eze, according to Football Transfers. The Dutch star is valued at £57m, which certainly reflects his excellent performances.
In comparison, Arsenal’s new attacking duo are not worth quite as much. Former Palace star Eze is closer, with Football Transfers valuing him at £53.6m. As for ex-Chelsea winger Madueke, he’s said to be worth just shy of £45m.
Given just how key Timber is to Arsenal’s side, due to his quality on the ball and tenacity without it, there might not be much surprise to learn he has such a high value, but it does show that Arteta hit the jackpot on him because his value has soared from £38m to £57m within the space of two years.
Madueke and Eze are key members of the Arsenal squad, but Timber’s quality and importance to Arteta mean he is worth even more than the attacking pair.
