Why isn’t Jurrien Timber playing for Arsenal against PSG in the Champions League final today?
The Dutch defender, who sat out both the quarter finals and the semi-finals, will be watching the final from the bench.
There will doubtless be some nail-biting going on the subs’ bench during this evening’s Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG. One of the players who will be in the Gunners’ dug-out is Dutch full-back Jurriën Timber.
Timber has been a mainstay in Arsenal’s backline this season - or at least he was up until recently. After playing practically all of the league phase, the right-back suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the Last 16 return leg against Bayer Leverkusen, the quarter final and semi-final.
Injuries as the season enters its critical stage
Timber injured his right ankle early in the 2-0 win over Everton on March 14. That turned out to be his last appearance as Arteta’s team went on to play the next seven games without him and clinch the Premier League title.
The Netherlands international returned to full training at the start of May, only to suffer a hip injury which has delayed his return. In Timber’s absence, Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera have shared duties filling in at right-back.
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