Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is delighted with the return to training for Jurrien Timber this week.
The defender is back after recovering from an ACL injury suffered on his debut.
Arteta said: "He has been a joy, all the physios and medical staff are very happy with his attitude and his commitment and especially the way things have gone but it is not a coincidence. The way he applies (himself), how determined he is, his willingness to put every effort into everything he is demanded to do.
"He is in a really good place, now we have to manage him because he is in the last stage of that difficult injury and it is complicated but I think he is in the right way.
"First of all his leadership, his versatility, the quality that he has to play in different positions, especially in attacking phases and the spaces he can occupy are certain qualities nobody else in the squad has to do that.
"You could tell that he was fitting in, he is really liked around the boys and he has been a big miss."
