Timber fit to start as White ruled out of PSG vs Arsenal Champions League final in Budapest

Jurrien Timber has been declared fit to start the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday, offering Mikel Arteta a significant tactical boost, though defender Ben White will miss the match after a knee injury ended his season prematurely.

Arteta confirmed Timber’s availability with a brief but telling response to reporters: “He’s fit, yeah.” The Dutch defender has been absent since March, and his return gives Arteta additional options across the backline and midfield as Arsenal pursue their first European title and look to erase the memory of their 2006 final defeat to Barcelona — also played in Paris.

Mikel Merino has also returned to the squad after featuring against Crystal Palace, though Christian Norgaard remains a doubt. Noni Madueke appears to have shaken off a hamstring issue and is expected to be available.

For PSG, Luis Enrique received equally encouraging news ahead of the final. Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes have all been cleared to play despite fitness concerns in the lead-up to the match. Hakimi had been absent since the first leg of PSG’s semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, while Mendes picked up an injury in that game and aggravated it in the second leg.

Enrique confirmed both full-backs are ready: “Haki and Nuno, they are OK, they are able to play tomorrow.”

Dembele, who was substituted in PSG’s final Ligue 1 fixture against Paris FC with a calf problem, played down any concern about his fitness. “No, no, I wasn’t scared about missing the final as I stopped when I felt the niggle and I’ve had 10 or 15 days to get myself in shape before the final,” the Ballon d’Or winner told reporters.

Arsenal arrive in Budapest as newly-crowned Premier League champions, having ended a 22-year wait to reclaim the English top-flight title. A victory on Saturday would complete a historic domestic and European double. PSG, meanwhile, are bidding to retain the Champions League trophy they won for the first time last season under Enrique.