Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta reckons Jurriën Timber has ‘a chance’ to solve the club’s right-back fitness crisis. Arteta believes the defender can come into Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Ben White was ruled out of the all-important clash due to a knee injury. Timber hasn’t played for the Gunners in the last two months due to a groin injury.
The Arsenal defenders will have the tough work of keeping PSG’s striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at bay in Budapest on May 30.
“There is a chance,” said Arteta when asked if Timber will be available again this season.
“But how big that chance is, I cannot tell you. I’m being completely honest. He’s going to try to do everything he can to convert that chance as high as possible in the shortest possible period. And that’s the challenge ahead.
“He’s progressed a little bit in the last few days. He’s feeling better. We’re going to try to get him available as quickly as possible. But he’s obviously been out now for a while, unfortunately. He’s such an important player for us — we all know that — and he’s doing everything that he possibly can to help the team in any capacity.
“But we need to look at alternatives. The two players that we have there [at right-back] are not available at the moment. We need to look and do something else. The good thing is that we have experienced that all over the pitch this season.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are only two wins away from winning their first Premier League title since 2004. The Gunners have 79 points, whereas second-placed Manchester City have 77 points under their belt after 36 games.
When asked if he feels as though he has one hand on the Premier League trophy, Arteta said: “I feel that we have another opportunity on Monday to be a step closer. And that’s the only thing.
“The team is really present, just living the moment, and emotionally in a really good state. The energy level is the right one. Everybody is so enthusiastic and so positive about the way that we can finish the season.”
Arsenal will next take on Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.
