Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has several big Champions League final selection dilemmas but there is one that is dominating the headlines ahead of tomorrow's clash with PSG
10:08, 29 May 2026Updated 10:15, 29 May 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta is waiting to learn if Jurrien Timber can start for Arsenal
Perhaps the clue was right before our very eyes. On Thursday afternoon, UEFA posted a video on X that has naturally sparked a lot of engagement.
The clip is from last November when Spain beat Georgia 4-0 away from home in a World Cup qualifier and Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi was among those on the scoresheet.
He also mustered something else impressive during the game: running down the wing and dispossessing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Tomorrow in the Champions League final, Arsenal will have to hatch a plan to nullify the PSG superstar.
There is still large doubt over the availability of Jurrien Timber, who has returned to training this week but still hasn't played a match since mid-March when he injured his groin against Everton.
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Being fit for the match is all well and good but this is one hell of a game to throw him into against one of the best wingers, if not the best, on the planet.
Cristhian Mosquera is also pushing to start but he's a centre-back and is not blessed with mobility despite having good pace.
Then there's Zubimendi. Arteta is a manager who likes to think outside the box. Last Sunday at Crystal Palace, there was huge surprise when Zubimendi was randomly thrown in at right-back.
Maybe, just maybe, he was testing the midfielder out in defence. It gives him food for thought, and the clip posted by UEFA shows that Zubimendi is smart enough to defend Kvara.
Martin Zubimendi
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Martin Zubimendi has lost his place in midfield for Arsenal in recent weeks(Image: Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Crucially, the Spaniard has lost his place in the side in recent weeks due to Myles Lewis-Skelly's revival. There's a good chance the Englishman keeps his place in the centre of the park alongside Declan Rice.
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Leaving Zubimendi out of the starting XI would eat away at Arteta because his compatriot has played a decisive role for the Gunners over the course of the season.
If Timber doesn't make it, don't be surprised if Zubimendi is tossed in at full-back. It still feels like Mosquera is the favourite to start at this moment because Timber wasn't able to feature at Palace last weekend.
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