Timber Fit for Champions League Final
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is fit to start in Saturday's Champions League final against Paris St-Germain. Timber, who plays as a right-back, has not featured for Arsenal since March due to a groin injury sustained during their victory over Everton.
The right-back position had become a concern for Arteta, especially after Ben White, another natural option, was sidelined with a knee ligament injury. In their absence, Spain centre-back Cristhian Mosquera has filled in, alongside midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
Timber has been seen training in Budapest as Arsenal prepare to face Luis Enrique's reigning champions. Arteta also provided an update on Noni Madueke, who left Arsenal's recent match against Crystal Palace with a hamstring issue but is now available for selection.
"No, the ambition is bigger, we have one [trophy] and we want the second one,"
said Arteta when asked if the pressure had eased after winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
"That is all we have been talking about. There has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more.
The team is capable because they have shown it in the last seasons [in] this competition, what we have done this season in the competition.
I want the players to be so confident that we are going to go and do it."
PSG enter the final as favourites, having eliminated Arsenal in last year’s semi-finals. The French club aims to become only the second team to win consecutive Champions League titles in the modern era.
"They are defending the trophy and they are the champions and we are here to take that away from them,"
Arteta added.
Major Police Operation in Budapest for Final
Authorities in Budapest are preparing for a significant influx of fans, anticipating at least 10,000 ticketless supporters in the city. The number of visitors passing through Liszt Ferenc International Airport over the weekend is expected to nearly double, reaching approximately 85,000.
The Puskas Arena, which will host the final, has a capacity of 61,400. Both PSG and Arsenal have been allocated 17,000 tickets each. To manage the crowds, 3,950 police officers will be on duty in Budapest on match day.
Additionally, a fan zone will be set up in Heroes' Square, allowing supporters without tickets to watch the game.
