Champions League: Arsenal hopes to recover Timber for the final.

Mikel Arteta opens door to Jurri Timber return for Champions League final

Juba Touabi, Media365: published on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM

Mikel Arteta has opened the door to Jurri Timber’s return for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal’s coach spoke out on Thursday at a press conference. “There is a chance“, the Spanish coach stated regarding the 24-year-old Dutch full-back. “It has progressed a bit in recent days, he is feeling better. We will try to recover him.” However, Mikel Arteta refused to quantify this likelihood: “How big this chance is, I cannot tell you.”

Arteta has two options to replace Timber

Jurri Timber has been dealing with an ankle injury since mid-March. The defender has missed several matches with the Gunners since his injury. He usually plays as a right-back. The situation is complicated for Arteta. Ben White, the other option for this position, is out for the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury last weekend during a Premier League match.

In Timber’s absence, two backup options exist: central defender Cristhian Mosquera, already used on the right side, or left-back Riccardo Calafiori. The starting player will have the responsibility of marking Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the decisive Georgian winger for PSG. Arsenal will play the second Champions League final in its history on May 30th in Budapest. Before this match, the Gunners will host Burnley on Monday and then visit Crystal Palace on May 24th.