Erik ten Hag influence in Jurrien Timber move to Arsenal revealed after Man Utd transfer snub

Jurrien Timber became Mikel Arteta's second signing of the summer transfer window - sealing a £40million switch to the Emirates Stadium from Ajax earlier this month

Arsenal star Jurrien Timber has hailed the influence of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after joining Mikel Arteta's side in a £40million deal. The Netherlands international rejected the chance to follow his former Ajax boss to Old Trafford last summer with Ten Hag now having Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana in his squad once again.

Arteta was key in convincing the Dutch defender to join Arsenal ahead of United with the Gunners boss holding several conversations with Timber ahead of his move. The 22-year-old told the Mirror: "I was already a fan of the way they play, and after several conversations with Mikel Arteta, mainly via Zoom and during days around the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United, we met live and I was completely convinced.

"Of course, it was mainly football-related, but the coach focused on me as a person and clearly wanted to get to know me better. He also gave me an even better picture of the club, which I knew from a distance thanks to Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie, but about which I could not ask anyone at the Dutch national team these days."

Timber went on to praise Ten Hag for giving him 'confidence' and helping him to develop into a better player. The Dutchman continued: "Erik ten Hag gave me confidence and made me a much better footballer.

"I decided to stay an extra year at Ajax and develop as a player. Now the time feels right.

"Every year I look at how I have grown as a defender — my ultimate goal is to become the best defender in the world. Last year I extended my contract and made agreements