Arsenal face the possibility of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final without a specialist right-back due to injuries to Julian Timber and Ben White.
Julian Timber could miss the Champions League final (Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Julian Timber’s chances of playing in the Champions League final “do not look rosy”.
This comes despite the Arsenal defender intensifying his training this week in a desperate bid to prepare for the World Cup and the showdown with Paris Saint-Germain on May 30th. Timber has been sidelined since mid-March with a groin injury, and his attempts to return have already been thwarted.
However, the Dutch full-back is understood to be more confident this time around, despite concerns from Dutch coach Ronald Koeman that he would be without key players.
Koeman, who will announce his World Cup squad on May 27, said: “Julian has been dealing with this for quite some time. He’s dealt with it off and on.”
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“He’s currently training again to see if he can get to the Champions League final and then the World Cup. Things aren’t looking rosy at the moment.”
It is hoped that Timber will intensify his training this week and be included in the first-team group for Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season at Crystal Palace. It is highly unlikely that he will be ready, but Arsenal will face a PSG team in Budapest that boasts winger Hviča Kvaratschelia, who is considered one of the best players in the world.
It would be a big gamble, but they are already without Ben White and would otherwise have to use centre-half Cristian Mosquera as a makeshift right-back.
As such, Arsenal will be hoping Timber has a chance and will be hoping to get back into form, but if he fails to do so, he could miss out on the World Cup and potentially require surgery.
Timber’s absence will be another setback for Koeman. Defender Matthijs de Ligt, midfielder Jerdi Schouten and forward Xavi Simons are already out with injuries.
Timber has not featured for Arsenal since March (Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Mikel Merino is another Arsenal player hoping to return to full training ahead of the Champions League after foot surgery. The Gunners midfielder has been out for four months and is not expected to play in the World Cup, but has stepped up his training over the past week.
He admitted that it was very difficult to watch it from the sidelines with his fans and that he “agonized” at times, but it’s even harder to endure when he’s watching TV at home with his new baby.
“It’s difficult because on the one hand I want to be on the pitch and support my teammates because I was born to play soccer,” Merino said.
“But if you can’t do that, you have to try and make an impact in other ways. My role is to give advice, tips and support even in bad times.
“I want everyone to do their bit now so that we can push our position and win a trophy at the end of the season.
“When I’m at the stadium it’s very quiet, but when I’m at home I scream at the TV and that’s not so good because I have a baby sleeping next to me.
“But I’m struggling. I get stressed sometimes like everyone else. When I’m on the pitch, I don’t feel that pressure, I don’t really feel it, I just want to go out.”
Mikel Merino is also currently absent (Image: Getty Images)
Merino insisted that despite missing the majority of the season, he is still living the dream and enjoying taking part in training.
He added: “Honestly, it’s a dream. It’s something you dreamed about as a kid and you can win titles and the Champions League. Those are things you can only dream of and now you’re living it.”
“I feel blessed and this is a great opportunity and I enjoy being around these people.
“Even though it’s only been two seasons, it feels like I’ve been here a long time and I definitely feel part of the family.
“It’s great to go to work every day. We work hard and it’s hard, but when we’re in the physical therapy room or in the gym, we have some fun banter.
“We have a great team and it’s time to take advantage of that and go into the final stage of the season with a good atmosphere.”
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