Arsenal star told his starting spot is in doubt as Arteta dreams of next signing with medical booked

Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks that Gabriel Magalhaes will have to fight to keep his starting spot at Arsenal with the imminent arrival of Jurrien Timber.

Arsenal have wasted no time in the transfer window so far as they have signed Kai Havertz and have an agreement in place for Declan Rice.

Mikel Arteta’s next objective is to sign a central defender and the Gunners are now closing in on a deal for Timber.

Ben Jacobs revealed that the Ajax star is next on Arteta’s list, with an agreement between both clubs already in place.

“Jurrien Timber will be next in for Arsenal after Declan Rice,” Jacobs explained.

“As revealed, an agreement in principle has been in place between Arsenal and Ajax for days. Timber expected to undergo a medical in the coming days if all goes to plan.”

Timber will give Arsenal some much-needed depth in defence and he could push for a starting spot from the off.

While Agbonlahor thinks that Gabriel will start the season for Arsenal, he doesn’t think it will be long until Timber has forced his way in.

“I think for the start of the season, Gabriel should keep his place,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“When they played him with Saliba at the start of the season, they were both phenomenal. He has got the odd mistake in him, Gabriel, but even with a mistake he is better than Holding.

“But bringing in Timber really puts the pressure on him. It says – first mistake, and you’re out.

“We can’t afford for you to do your trademark conceding a penalty, your trademark lack of concentration – because these are the big boy competitions.

“The Champions League is tough every single week. It’s going to be a case of one mistake and Gabriel is out.”

Gabriel started in all 38 Premier League matches for Arsenal last season and had to hold the backline together in the absence of William Saliba towards the end of the campaign.

Timber will give Arsenal a healthy amount of competition at the back and he represents an upgrade on Rob Holding.

The Gunners kept things tight at the back for the majority of the season, although they did ship more goals in the absence of Saliba.

In Arsenal’s final nine matches of the season, they conceded 15 goals at a rate of 1.66 goals per game. Timber will look to improve this record next season.

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