Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations and turned in a strong display against Manchester United in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Gunners are just a few weeks away from kicking off another Premier League campaign.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will visit the Emirates Stadium on August 17th, kicking off another Arsenal campaign – and potentially another title push.
Arsenal have narrowly missed out on top spot in the last couple of seasons and are desperately trying to overhaul Manchester City this time around.
Arsenal were in pre-season action in the early hours of Sunday morning, beating Manchester United 2-1 in California.
United did then win a penalty shootout after the game, which had been arranged no matter the result.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber
Mikel Arteta gave chances to a number of young and fringe players against United.
Ayden Heaven, Ethan Nwaneri, Karl Hein and Reiss Nelson all started the game whilst the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Joshua Nichols and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand came on.
There was also a start for defender Jurrien Timber as he ramps up his return to action.
The Dutchman started the opening game of last season but suffered a major knee injury, keeping him out until the final day of the campaign.
Timber’s injury was a major blow; David Ornstein claimed in November that Timber had ‘blown away’ staff and players alike after his arrival from Ajax.
Before Timber could really get going in the Premier League, his season was cruelly ruined.
Now back and working his way back to full fitness, Timber has impressed in pre-season action – even earning praise from teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arteta has now joined in, telling Sky Sports that he feels Timber is a ‘big addition’ and almost ‘like a new signing’ following his return.
The Spaniard feels that Timber is just showing incredible pressing, leadership and composure, meaning he is making a big impact in the Arsenal side.
“He’s like a new signing for us, a big addition to the team,” said Arteta. “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,” he added.
Timber has real versatility, starting last season at left back despite arriving having most played at centre back or right back with Ajax.
New competition is now on the way though with Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori all set to arrive in North London.
Calafiori is left-footed so may be used slightly differently to Timber, but they will still be competing for the left back spot this season.
Arteta clearly loves what he is seeing and Timber will be desperate to make up for lost time having only featured twice last term.
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