A World Cup squad announcement has provided Arsenal with the biggest indicator yet that a key player will be available for Saturday’s Champions League final.
Ronald Koeman has named Jurrien Timber in his 26-man Netherlands squad for the World Cup, suggesting that the defender will be available against PSG.
Timber has been sidelined since mid-March, when he was forced off during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton with a groin problem.
He has since missed 14 games across all competitions, and was not included in the squad for last Sunday’s final day win at Crystal Palace.
Fill in the blank: Jurrien Timber is now worth £__m to Arsenal
But his selection for the World Cup, which begins in just a few weeks, suggests his recovery is almost complete, and that Mikel Arteta may yet have one of his most important players available in Budapest.
With Ben White having suffered a significant medial ligament injury at West Ham earlier this month, Arsenal’s options at right-back have been stretched.
Timber, when fit, is one of the best in Europe in that position, and on Saturday he could be tasked with containing the lightning-quick Desire Doue, one of PSG’s most dangerous attacking threats.
Whether he starts remains unclear given the length of his absence.
Cristhian Mosquera has started against Burnley, and is probably the most likely option for the final, while Martin Zubimendi, unfamiliar in the role, filled in against Palace.
But even from the bench, Timber’s availability gives Arteta an option he has been without for two months.
PSG have injury concerns of their own ahead of Champions League final
Arsenal are not the only side sweating on fitness ahead of the Champions League final.
Ousmane Dembele has been absent since suffering a calf problem against Paris FC earlier this month, though he has since returned to training and issued a positive update.
Achraf Hakimi, who has missed the last month with a thigh issue, has also returned to full team sessions and has been named in Morocco’s World Cup squad, another encouraging sign for PSG ahead of Saturday.
Both sides go into the final with a couple of fitness questions to resolve.
For Arsenal, who have just been boosted by the availability of Mikel Merino, the potential return of Timber is the most welcome news of all.
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