Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke declared fit for Arsenal's Champions League final clash with PSG

Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke declared fit for Arsenal's Champions League final clash with PSG

Timber, who has been sidelined since March with a groin injury sustained against Everton, has returned to full training in Budapest and is now available for selection despite concerns he would miss out on the final. Madueke is also cleared to feature after a brief scare when he came off with a hamstring issue during Arsenal's final Premier League match at Crystal Palace.

The only major absentee for Arteta is Ben White, who remains out after suffering a knee ligament injury against West Ham earlier this month. His absence had created a selection dilemma at right-back, with Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice all used as emergency options in recent weeks.

Arteta was clear when asked about his squad's fitness situation: "Timber is fit. Fit enough to start? Yeah. Madueke? Yeah, he is fit. The only one is Ben."

From the PSG camp, Ousmane Dembele has also confirmed his availability, while head coach Luis Enrique has been boosted by the return of Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, strengthening an already formidable squad as they aim to defend their European crown.

PSG arrive as reigning champions and favourites, having also eliminated Arsenal at the semi-final stage last season. The French side are targeting a rare Champions League repeat, with only a select few teams ever managing back-to-back titles in the modern era.

For Arsenal, this represents a defining moment in their recent resurgence. Saturday marks only their second Champions League final appearance, two decades after their 2–1 defeat to Barcelona in Paris. Under Arteta, however, belief within the squad has grown significantly following their first Premier League title in 22 years earlier this season.

Arteta dismissed any suggestion that domestic success would ease the pressure on his side.

"No, the ambition is bigger. We have one and we want the second one," he said. "That is all we have been talking about. It has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and aim for more."

He added that reaching this stage again has only strengthened the squad's mentality.

"They want more. When you go through those moments, you understand exactly how it feels and you want to repeat it as many times as possible. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to do it."

Looking ahead to the challenge posed by PSG, Arteta underlined the scale of the task.

"They are defending the trophy. They are the champions and they have earned the right to be there. We are here to take that away from them."

With key players returning at the perfect time and both sides close to full strength, the final promises a high-stakes clash between the holders and a resurgent Arsenal side chasing their first-ever Champions League crown.

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