Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Arsenal duo Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino as the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain approaches. Both players have been sidelined with injuries and are doubts for the match in Budapest on May 30.
Timber has not played since being substituted with a groin problem during a 2-0 win over Everton on March 14, missing the last 13 games. Merino last featured in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on January 25 and later underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot.
Timber missed an open training session on Thursday, while Merino participated in a light session. Arteta said: “Mikel is going to start to train with the group tomorrow. Jurrien, let's hope he can do the same in the next few days but still a little bit behind where Mikel is.”
Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and David Raya were absent from the group session but are not injured, working on individual programmes. Max Dowman was also absent due to GCSE exams. All four are expected to be available for the final.
