At a Glance:
- Mikel Arteta on Jurrien Timber’s fitness.
- Timber working hard to return from injury.
- Ben White is ruled out of the 2026 World Cup.
Jurrien Timber has been out of action for weeks and yet, Arsenal have managed to put themselves in a position to win the Premier League and the Champions League this season.
Timber was unfit to face West Ham on the weekend but the Gunners still managed to clinch a 1-0 win.
With Ben White suffering an MCL injury, which has ended his season, Arsenal are suffering from a crisis in the right-back position.
Ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming clash against Burnley on Monday night, Mikel Arteta had his say on the Dutch international’s fitness.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will try to get Jurrien Timber fit against PSG
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal will do everything in their power to ensure Timber is ready to play against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, as relayed by journalist John Cross.
Arteta confirmed that the 24-year-old is “trying” and “stepping up work” to return to full fitness, with White’s injury ruling him out of the 2026 World Cup.
Christhian Mosquera played at right-back against West Ham eventually and has featured in the position in the North Londoners’ 0-0 draw against Sporting CP and their 2-1 loss to Manchester City as well.
However, Timber is one of Arsenal’s best players and Mikel Arteta will be hoping the former Ajax defender can play and tame Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s threat from the left flank in Budapest.
Arteta confirms that they’re gonna try to get Jurrien Timber fit for Champions League final. He’s trying and stepping up work.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) May 14, 2026
Ben White out long term (defo out if World Cup)
As talented as Mosquera is, he would likely have a hard time dealing with a winger of Kvaratskhelia’s ilk.
Piero Hincapie should be considered a right-back option in the Champions League final
Piero Hincapie should start against PSG if despite Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s efforts, Timber remains sidelined due to injury.
Hincapie is arguably Arsenal’s best one-v-one defender and furthermore, he has plenty of experience in the Champions League and at international level unlike Mosquera.
It seems unlikely that Mikel Arteta will start the Ecuadorian in an unfamiliar position in a game as big as the Champions League final but he should certainly consider the possibility.
