Jurrien Timber is back in full training for Arsenal after missing virtually all of last season with an ACL injury, with the defender revealing Max Verstappen played a role in his recovery

Jurrien Timber is taking inspiration from Max Verstappen as he bids to turbo charge his Arsenal career this season.

The Dutch defender was billed as the game-changer for Arsenal in their quest for a first Premier League title in two decades when he signed from Ajax last summer. But the Gunners were cruelly robbed of his services when he suffered a horrendous ACL injury in the opening game of the season.

A substitute appearance on the final day of their second successive runner-up campaign was another hint of what is yet to come from the 23-year-old. But judging by the elite sportsmen Timber sets his standards by, only a major trophy will suffice.

He listens to motivational speeches from the late great Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant and is a disciple of Dutch countryman Verstappen's will-to-win in his pursuit of a fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship.

Timber admitted he is indebted to Arsenal boss Mikel Areteta for standing by him during his injury hell. He said: "He was very honest, from the start last year. When we were in pre-season he was very supportive already, and I have to say he was during my injury as well. It helps when you have a manager like that."

Timer was speaking at the end of a gruelling training session in the California sun that hit 100 degrees fahrenheit ahead of their three-match run against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.

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Timber is back in full training after missing virtually all of last season And Arteta is clearly buzzing at having Timber back in the ranks as he tries to mastermind to break Manchester City 's stranglehold on the Premier League title.

He said: "He is a winner, you can see that in his body language, the way he acts, he has worked so hard. He is in a really good place at the moment.

"We are going to have to manage him now in the next few weeks 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 about him."

Reflecting further on last season's disappointments, Arteta added: "Obviously he had his moments. It is not easy to come to a big club like here and start to set expectations with his performances and then on day one in the Premier League you are out for the season but mentally he is a really tough boy.

"He has a great environment around him and hopefully that will make him a better player. He is a leader. He loves to be on show and has a big presence in everything that we do. He is very vocal and extremely gifted technically. He is a great addition to the team."

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