Arsenal star included in squad for Champions League trip – but Gunners forced to cancel press conference after travel delays | OneFootball

Jurrien Timber has been included in Arsenal’s travelling squad to face Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday as he closes in on his return from a long-term injury.

The Dutch defender has been battling injury since the spring and has been stepping up his recovery in recent weeks. His inclusion in the group travelling to Italy raises the possibility of him featuring against Napoli.

Timber has not started a competitive game for Arsenal since April, although he did make a brief appearance from the bench in the Champions League final in May before missing the World Cup because of a groin problem.

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But Arsenal’s preparations for their opening Champions League fixture have been disrupted by travel problems on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta and his squad were due to arrive in Naples in time for their scheduled pre-match press conference at 7.15pm local time, but their flight was delayed by widespread air traffic control issues in the UK.

The Gunners are now not expected to arrive in Naples until around 9.30pm local time and have subsequently cancelled their pre-match media duties, with UEFA giving the club permission to do so because of the circumstances.

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