Supplied
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Arsenal have been handed a huge boost ahead of tonight’s Champions League semi-final second-leg decider against Paris Saint-Germain with the return of Jurrien Timber following injury.
The defender had been a doubt for the second leg against PSG after missing Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW PSG VS ARSENAL LIVE!
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had said after that loss that Timber was not fit to make the squad, but he trained on Tuesday after the squad arrived in Paris and starts this evening.
“I will assess (Timber) today, whether he can start again or not,” Arteta said on Tuesday night.
Timber comes into the defence in place of Ben White, who was one of two changes to the Arsenal team last weekend. Thomas Partey was the other change and he keeps his place after being suspended for the first leg against PSG last week.
The return of Partey means Declan Rice can push forward to an advanced role after playing at the base of midfield in the first leg. Rice has starred for Arsenal during this Champions League run and is their top scorer in the knockout phase this season.
In attack, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli start on the flanks, but Arteta had a dilemma as to who leads the line.
Read More
PSG XI vs Arsenal: Starting lineup and confirmed team news today
PSG vs Arsenal: Champions League - LIVE
Ferdinand to miss PSG vs Arsenal clash after posting hospital picture
SponsoredMeet the entrepreneur turning plastic waste into something wonderful
Leandro Trossard was given the nod in the first leg, however, Mikel Merino replaces him this evening. Merino has excelled as an emergency striker for Arsenal but was less effective last week when he played in midfield.
Riccardo Calafiori is back in the squad after returning to training. The defender has been out since March with a knee injury.
“He’s travelled and he’s fit and ready to play when we need him,” said Arteta. “That great news, too.”
Jorginho has also made the bench after a rib injury.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino
Subs: Neto, Setford, White, Calafiori, Tierney, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji, Trossard, Sterling
Injured: Gabriel (hamstring), Havertz (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Tomiyasu (knee)
Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday May 7, 2025
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
How to watch: TNT Sports
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
MORE ABOUT
arsenal team news
Jurrien Timber
PSG
Have your say...VIEW COMMENTS