Micah Richards has reserved special praise for Jurrien Timber following Arsenal’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, claiming the defender looks ‘fresh as anything’ despite his long-term injury.
Timber, 23, completed a £34million move from Ajax to Arsenal last summer but ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, ruling him out of action for nine months.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has taken a cautious approach with Timber’s return to the fold given the severity of the injury and the Netherlands has played the full 90 minutes on just two occasions this season.
However, Timber has not looked out of place when called upon, with his versatility adding a new dimension to the Gunners’ defence.
The Dutchman produced several eye-catching moments in his 45-minute performance against PSG on Tuesday night and Richards has been taken aback by the ease with which he has slotted back into the side.
‘You know who has been outstanding? Timber,’ the ex-Manchester City and England defender said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
‘Obviously he had his bad injury but he can play left-back, he can play right-back.
‘When you have that long-term injury, it takes you a while to get back before you sort of get into your peak fitness.
‘But he has come into the team and he looks fresh as anything.
‘What a signing he has been!’
Richards, a lifelong Arsenal fan, believes Arteta’s side have a ‘real chance’ of ending their 21-year wait for a Premier League title this season.
‘With Rodri being injured, I’ve said it is 50-50,’ he added.
‘They have a genuine chance of winning the Premier League.
‘I say that because of the way they can adapt the game, but really away from home, how they set up, how organised they are, how everyone knows their jobs.
‘I believe they have a real chance of winning it. If they do is a different story but they have a chance for sure.’
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