Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori injury update ahead of PSG decider

Evening Standard

·6 maggio 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori injury update ahead of PSG decider

The pair were both able to train on Tuesday

On the plane: Jurrien Timber

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Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says both Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are in contention to face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

Timber missed the home loss to Bournemouth with a knock, while Calafiori has been sidelined since March with a knee injury. Both defenders were able to take part in the club's final training session on Tuesday night in Paris.

Arteta was at the weekend downbeat on Timber's involvement in the Champions League semi-final second leg, but the Dutch defender is now firmly in contention to start.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday if Timber is fit to start, he said: "I will assess him today to see if he can play ... We will decide tomorrow."

Calafiori is not expected to be named in the line-up after such a lengthy absence away from the pitch, but Arteta is confident the Italian is ready to contribute when required.

The Gunners boss said: "He's traveled, he's fit, and he's available to play if we need him."

Jakub Kiwior will continue to deputise for Gabriel in Paris as Arsenal look to overturn a first-leg deficit for the first ever time in the Champions League, and Arteta was full of praise for the centre-back.

Arteta said: “He deserves a lot of credit as he has not played too much and now he has been thrown into the hardest context. I think he has been exceptional.”