Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jurrien Timber is fit and ready to start Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, handing Arsenal a major boost on the eve of the match in Budapest.
The versatile Dutch defender has not played since coming off in the first half of Arsenal's 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on March 14, having struggled with ankle and groin problems. His recovery took longer than expected, causing him to miss the final 14 games of the season, including the climax of the domestic campaign in which Arsenal clinched the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
Timber had been a doubt for the final, but he returned to training earlier this week and was named in Ronald Koeman's Netherlands World Cup squad on Wednesday despite his lack of recent match action. Asked about the defender's condition at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: "He's fit, yeah." When pressed on whether Timber could start against PSG, the manager replied: "Yep."
Timber's return is particularly welcome given Arsenal are without second-choice right-back Ben White, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the win over West Ham earlier this month. That injury also ruled White out of the World Cup. During White's absence, Declan Rice briefly covered at right-back before Cristhian Mosquera took over, with Martin Zubimendi filling in on the final day of the Premier League season. Mosquera would have been the likely starter at right-back against PSG if Timber had not been available, but he is now expected to drop to the bench.
In other team news, winger Noni Madueke is expected to be available for Arsenal after an injury scare following his goal against Crystal Palace, which was confirmed as cramp. Goalkeeper David Raya, who hurt his back in the win over Burnley, was left out of the squad at Selhurst Park but is also expected to be fit. PSG, meanwhile, have key trio Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes all available, while Lucas Chevalier and Quentin Ndjantou have been included in their travelling squad.
