The defender was today finalising a £38.5m switch from Ajax, significantly less than the fee for Rice and the £65m Arsenal paid to buy Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
But, while Timber may be the cheapest signing of their £200m summer recruitment drive, he is backing himself to make a big impact at the Emirates Stadium.
The 22-year-old Netherlands international arrives from the Eredivisie with a growing reputation and will primarily provide competition for Ben White at right-back. Arsenal believe he can tuck into midfield from there, much like Oleksandr Zinchenko does at left-back.
When Zinchenko was out last season, the Gunners faltered, but Mikel Arteta believes Timber can now provide a viable solution from the opposite flank. He will also provide cover at centre-back, which is where he established himself at Ajax.
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