Arsenal handed major fitness boost ahead of Champions League final | OneFootball

Jurrien Timber has successfully come through a first training session back with the Arsenal team, in the hope of making a return for Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

The 24-year-old has not played since a 2-0 win over Everton on 14 March, having been forced off that match with a groin injury. That has left him enduring 70 days without football, which would give Mikel Arteta a big decision even he is match-fit or not.

Timber is nevertheless seen as one of the best athletes in the Arsenal squad and, having trained on his own up until Tuesday after “getting back on the grass”, came through the various tests. That saw him return to work with the team on Wednesday, with no issues.

Arsenal do have a need at right-back, given how Ben White suffered a significant medial ligament injury in the 1-0 win over West Ham United, that has kept him out of the World Cup.

That also happens to be the side where Kvicha Kvaratshkelia operates, with the Georgian currently in the best form in world football. So far, the thinking has been to deploy centre-half Cristhian Mosquera there.

Timber’s fitness at least gives Arteta a decision to make, as he could be effective if even used for half an hour.