Paul Merson urges Arsenal to play Jurrien Timber in the Champions League final against PSG, even if the defender is only half-fit

Paul Merson has urged Mikel Arteta to take a bold gamble on defender Jurrien Timber by including him in Arsenal’s starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, even if the player is not fully fit.

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Arsenal are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, in what is expected to be one of the club’s most significant matches in recent history.

Timber has been sidelined for the past two months after suffering a groin injury, raising doubts over his availability for the final.

The 24-year-old defender is now racing against time to recover, with hopes that he could return in time for the showdown against Luis Enrique’s side.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Merson insisted that Timber must be involved regardless of his fitness level.

“I think Jurrien Timber has to play,” Merson said. “There’s talk that he will be fit.

“He’s got to play, even if he’s half-fit. I would take a chance on him because he has to play in that game,” he added.

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Paul Merson Arsenal Champions League final Timber remarks have added further debate around Mikel Arteta’s selection decisions as Arsenal prepare for a high-stakes European final.