Micah Richards gave Jurrien Timber extra praise after Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. He said the defender looks “fresh as anything,” even though he has been hurt for a long time.

Timber, 23, moved from Ajax to Arsenal for £34 million last summer, but on the first weekend of the Premier League season, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, which kept him out for nine months.

Mikel Arteta, the head coach of Arsenal, has been cautious about Timber’s return because of how bad his injury is, and the Netherlands have only played all 90 minutes twice this season.

When called upon, Timber hasn’t looked out of place, though, and his versatility has given the Gunners’ back a new look.

After being out for a while, the Dutchman had a great 45-minute game against PSG on Tuesday night. Richards has been surprised at how easily he has fit back into the team.

“Do you know who has been great?” “Timber,” the former England and Manchester City back said on the podcast The Rest Is Football.

“Of course he had his bad injury, but he can play left back or right back.”

Jurrien Timber shone in the first half of Arsenal’s win over PSG (Picture: Getty)

Timber was sidelined for nine months with a serious knee injury (Picture: Getty)

‘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!’

Arsenal have a ‘real chance’ of beating Manchester City to the title, says Richards (Picture: Getty)

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.