Arteta reveals the Arsenal player that is working hard ahead of next season

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his admiration for the work ethic and mental strength of defender Jurrien Timber, who is back to full fitness and joining the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States.

“He is so willing, you can see that in his body language & the way he acts,” Arteta said of the Dutch international. “He has worked so hard, I think he is in a really good place at the moment.”

Timber’s journey has been one of resilience. The defender, who arrived at the Emirates last summer, suffered a serious injury in his first Premier League appearance, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2022/23 season.

“It is not easy to come to a big club like here & start to set expectations with his performances & then on day one in the Premier League, you are out for the season,” Arteta acknowledged. “He had his moments [where he was down], but mentally he is a really tough boy. He has a great environment around him & hopefully that will make him a better player.”

Despite the setback, Timber’s commitment to his recovery has been unwavering. Arteta is now focused on managing the player’s workload carefully. “We are going to have to manage him now in the next few weeks, especially because the load he has been able to do in the last few months compared to the next two weeks is very different, but we are very excited,” the manager explained.

Arsenal fans will be excited to see Timber back in action, and Arteta’s positive comments highlight the belief he has in the defender’s potential. The pre-season tour provides a crucial opportunity for Timber to rebuild his confidence and showcase his talents on the field.