Arsenal: Mikel Arteta hoping for key double injury boost as Champions League final approaches | OneFootball

Gunners held an open training session as part of media day before PSG showdown in Budapest next weekend

Both players have been considered doubts for next weekend’s high-profile match against holders Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, where newly-crowned Premier League champions Arsenal will be seeking to secure a famous trophy double, having each been battling injury issues over recent months.

Versatile first-choice right-back Timber has not played at all for Arsenal since being substituted with a groin problem during the first half of the 2-0 win over Everton on March 14, missing the last 13 games across all competitions.

Merino, meanwhile, last featured and scored in the 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United on January 25, later requiring surgery on a rare and serious stress fracture to his right foot.

Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino will both hope to make Arsenal’s Champions League final squad

Timber’s recovery has been slower than expected and he was absent from an open session held at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre on Thursday as the club conducted a pre-Champions League final media day, though Merino was spotted taking part.

Asked for an update on the pair at his subsequent press conference held before Sunday’s final-day trip to Crystal Palace, Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Mikel is going to start to train with the group tomorrow [Friday].

Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and David Raya - the latter of whom said he hurt his back, glute and shoulder following a collision with Zian Flemming in Monday night’s 1-0 win over Burnley - were not seen taking part in the group session on Thursday, though are not injured and were understood to be working on individual training programmes elsewhere.

There was also no Max Dowman in Arsenal training on Thursday, due to the 16-year-old midfielder being in the midst of exam season as he sits his GCSEs.

All four players are expected to be available when Arsenal take on PSG at the Puskas Arena on May 30.