'Like A New Signing'- Arteta Hails Timber Return From Serious Knee Injury

Timber joined from Ajax Amsterdam for £34m last summer but only made two Premier League appearances.

The 23-year-old right full back suffered a serious knee injury on his debut against Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the season and only returned to action on the final day against Everton.

Timber has carefully worked his way back to full fitness and was deployed in a central defensive position when Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1 in a pre-season game over the weekend.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: "He's like a new signing for us, a big addition to the team.

"Now he's getting the rhythm because obviously he’s missed a lot of football in the last year or so. Just look at him… his pressing, his leadership, his composure."

On playing Timber at centre-half, Arteta added: "Making one change and not two. It's simple and as well there is so much chemistry in that right unit.

"That relationship has been there for a long time and I believe at the moment that it's better just to touch one thing. Now he's getting the rhythm because obviously he's missed a lot of football in the last year or so.

"We asked him to play in a different position than we had in mind due to the numbers and the players we have at the moment but I'm really happy."

Arsenal start the new season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17.