Mikel Arteta has hailed impressive duo Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.

The Gunners boss praised the pair ahead of the Emirates hosting the Champions League clash between Arsenal and PSG on Tuesday evening. 

 “We missed Jurrien 11 months and Riccy wasn’t here (last season)," explained Arteta, adding: "They are two players that have the football brain, the intelligence, the courage, the quality and adaptability to occupy different spaces attacking and defending.

“That gives the team a different dynamic and makes us unpredictable for the opponent to defend. And they’re both huge personalities which I love.”

Calafiori started at left-back and Timber at right-back in Arsenal’s 4-2 vital over Leicester at the weekend, with Arteta insisting they have already made a big difference to the North Londoners starting XI.

Arteta also admitted he has been extremely impressed by Timber’s leadership, adding: “A leader. A guy that is constantly thinking how can I help others and bringing great quality to everything that he does.

“Even in the little time that he’s been with us and the amount of time he’s spent on the pitch, for everyone to speak so highly of him in the way that they do, that tells you everything about the personality that we have in the team.”

Calafiori trained with the Arsenal squad at London Colney on Monday afternoon, with Arteta saying the Italian is “in contention” for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with PSG despite fears over whether he suffered an injury late on during the triumph over the Foxes. 

The Arsenal squad train here at London Colney pic.twitter.com/LBkIN5ljPG

— Layth (@laythy29) September 30, 2024