Jurrien Timber is fit to start Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, Mikel Arteta confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Friday. Timber has not played for us since being forced off during the 2-0 win over Everton on 14 March, 77 days ago. When asked directly whether Timber was fit enough to start in Hungary, Arteta said: "Yes. Noni Madueke as well. The only one is Ben White."

The confirmation is significant. White's knee injury, sustained at the London Stadium against West Ham on 10 May, has ruled him out of the final. Ben White was confirmed out for the rest of the season after that game. He is the only player in our squad unavailable for Budapest. Arteta acknowledged his absence with clear regret at the press conference: "It is painful because I look around and I see the joy and the desire that all of them have to play this match. We all know that this is the biggest game in club football and everybody wants to be part of that."

Timber's groin problem had cast serious doubt over his availability even into this week. As recently as 19 May, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman described the situation as uncertain, raising questions not only about the final but about Timber's World Cup participation. Seven days ago, Timber himself said he had not given up hope of making Budapest. Arteta has now drawn a line under that uncertainty. Timber is available, Madueke is available, and the manager goes into the final with the closest thing to a full squad he has had since February.

The decision Arteta now faces at right-back is a genuine one. Cristhian Mosquera has covered the position through the final weeks of the title-winning league campaign and across the Champions League knockout rounds, including both legs against Atletico Madrid. He has not put a foot wrong. Timber, when fit and in form, is a different level of player in that position, but Arteta must weigh 77 days without a competitive minute against a Champions League final against the reigning European champions. Whichever way he goes, he will have made an active choice rather than a forced one.

Madueke's availability completes our attacking options after he was withdrawn late at Selhurst Park last Sunday with cramp rather than anything structural. He scored the second goal in a 2-1 win that handed us the Premier League trophy before leaving the pitch, and his presence widens Arteta's options in the final third considerably.
Kick-off at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest is at 17:00 BST.