Arteta Confirms Jurrien Timber Fit To Start Arsenal vs PSG Champions League Final

Arsenal head to Budapest for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain with Mikel Arteta saying Dutch right-back Jurrien Timber is fit to start after a groin injury in their win over Everton in March.

“- Published Mikel Arteta says that Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is fit to start Saturday's Champions League final against Paris St-Germain”

BBC

The Sports Illustrated preview said Arsenal are without Ben White due to a knee injury and that Timber has been sidelined for more than two months, while it also noted Noni Madueke’s hamstring injury scare after he was forced off in the second half against Crystal Palace.

BBC

In the build-up, Arteta confirmed that Timber is available and also said “Noni (Madueke) as well,” as Arsenal prepare to face Luis Enrique’s reigning champions at the Puskas Arena on Saturday.

The BBC reported that Timber has not played for the Gunners since sustaining a groin injury in March, and it added that Cristhian Mosquera has deputised at right-back this season along with midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

As Arsenal’s preparations continued in Budapest, the BBC also said Arteta dismissed the suggestion that the pressure is off for Arsenal after winning a first Premier League title in 22 years, insisting “No, the ambition is bigger, we have one [trophy] and we want the second one.”

Arteta’s fitness message came alongside a wider injury picture for both teams, with the BBC saying he also confirmed Noni Madueke is available for selection after coming off with a hamstring issue against Crystal Palace last weekend.

In a separate update, USA Today reported that Arteta said “Timber's availability is a huge boost for Arsenal,” while it also framed PSG’s side as having Ousmane Dembele available after a calf problem.

CNA

The AP report in Fox Sports said Dembele told a news conference at Puskas Arena in Budapest, “I wasn’t scared about missing the final,” and it added that PSG coach Luis Enrique cleared Achraf Hakimi as “OK and able to play tomorrow.”

Sports Illustrated’s preview suggested Arteta may have been preparing Timber for a start against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while it described Arsenal as as healthy as they have been all season for the “mammoth affair.”

With PSG aiming to defend the title, the BBC said Arteta told reporters, “They are defending the trophy and they are the champions and we are here to take that away from them,” as Arsenal seek to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

Beyond team news, the BBC described a major police operation in Budapest for the final, saying police are expecting at least 10,000 ticketless fans and that the number of visitors expected to pass through Liszt Ferenc International Airport over the weekend would almost double to around 85,000.

“The Arsenal coach believes the preparation has been good”

Flashscore

The BBC also reported that Puskas Arena holds 61,400, with PSG and Arsenal allocated 17,000 tickets each, and that there will be 3,950 police officers on duty in Budapest on Saturday.

In the same BBC coverage, Arteta’s comments tied the match to Arsenal’s longer-term ambition, with the manager saying “No, the ambition is bigger, we have one [trophy] and we want the second one,” after Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years.

Sports Illustrated positioned the final as Arsenal’s chance at “a maiden European conquest in Budapest,” while it said holders Paris Saint-Germain stand in their way after Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to reclaim the Premier League title.

With Arsenal and PSG both preparing for the match at the Puskas Arena, the BBC added that highlights of the Champions League final will be available on the BBC Sport website and across social media channels 15 minutes after the trophy lift, and on BBC iPlayer and television later in the evening.