Mikel Arteta reveals Jurrien Timber is fit to start Champions League final | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a major fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, revealing that defender Jurrien Timber is fit to start.

Speaking from Budapest’s Puskas Arena on the eve of the showpiece, the Gunners boss revealed the Dutch international has won his race against time following an agonising two-month injury lay-off.

Timber has been a defensive mainstay for Arsenal but has not featured since mid-March due to injury and suffered a setback in late April, casting doubt on his availability for the final.

However, after travelling to Hungary and coming through intense training sessions unscathed, Arteta delivered the positive update Arsenal fans had been hoping for.

The 24-year-old’s timely return is a major boost for Arteta, with right-back Ben White ruled out of the final due to a knee injury sustained earlier in May.

Timber’s blend of recovery speed, defensive awareness and physicality makes him the ideal candidate to occupy the right side of Arsenal’s back four and combat PSG’s main attacking threat.

Further good news for the newly crowned Premier League champions comes as Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino both trained and are available for selection after overcoming minor injury scares.

Arsenal head into Saturday’s clash chasing footballing immortality. The Gunners are seeking their first-ever Champions League trophy, 20 years after their defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 final.

Armed with the ‘unbelievable‘ Timber and the best defensive record in the Champions League this season, Arteta’s men possess the quality to claim PSG’s crown as the undisputed kings of Europe.