{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreic5ctll3ownx3ra3vkyf6v5e4aerplcpys4533xg5eo4exqjwtxdi",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:b7afdzqsmwksxypciqnplglk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mn3gwlhbi6h2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiectoq2nttxa6e7cqftw2nlxwh7i3xhh4jdfin2h53mmidvchph3m"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 57389
  },
  "path": "/2026/05/30/viktor-gyokeres-jurrien-timber-bench-arsenal-vs-psg-28581438/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-30T14:52:33.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Arsenal",
    "Champions League",
    "Jurrien Timber",
    "Mikel Arteta",
    "Paris Saint-Germain",
    "Viktor Gyokeres",
    "Everton",
    "he is fit enough to start against the defending champions",
    "Cristhian Mosquera",
    "Sign up now",
    "Follow Metro’s live coverage of the Champions League final here",
    "Kai Havertz",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Gyokeres and Timber are named among the subs (Picture: Getty)\n\nJurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres has been left out of Arsenal’s starting XI for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.\n\nTimber has not played since the win over Everton in March, missing the last 14 games with a groin injury.\n\nHe returned to training this week with Mikel Arteta announcing on Friday he is fit enough to start against the defending champions.\n\nBut Arsenal will start with Cristhian Mosquera at right-back with Timber among the subs. Piero Hincapie is also preferred to Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.\n\n##  The countdown is on\n\nOur seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we've got everything you need to know. Sign up now.\n\nFollow Metro’s live coverage of the Champions League final here\n\nThe decision to leave Timber on the bench was made with his lack of gametime in mind while Calafiori was dealing with an ‘issue’ in the week/\n\n‘Jurrien wasn’t ready to start,’ Arteta told TNT Sports. ‘He’s done really well to at least be in a position to contribute with certain minutes.\n\nArteta keeps faith in Lewis-Skelly in midfield (Picture: Getty)\n\n‘With Riccy (Calafiori) we had certain issues with him during the week so Piero is starting.’\n\nUp front, Kai Havertz has been preferred to Viktor Gyokeres in what will be a big tactical decision from Arteta.\n\nBoth have had spells leading the line for the Gunners this season but it was the German who was preferred up front in both semi-final legs against Atletico Madrid.\n\nMyles Lewis-Skelly is also preferred in midfield to Martin Zubimendi who is also among the subs.\n\n##  PSG vs Arsenal: Confirmed teams\n\n**PSG XI** : Safanov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.\n\n**Subs:** Barcola, Beraldo, Chevalier, Fernandez, Hernandez, Kang-In, Marin, Mayulu, Mbaye, Ramos, Zabarnyi, Zaire-Emery.\n\n**Arsenal XI:** Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz.\n\n**Subs:** Kepa, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Timber, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Dowman.\n\n‘No huge surprises for me,’ former Arsenal star Jack Grealish told TNT Sports.\n\n‘The big decision for Mikel Arteta was up front and Havertz is more free than Gyokeres, he links the play a bit better. I like Myles in there in midfield, he gets on the ball and can start attacks.’\n\nSteven Gerrard added: ‘It’s sensible from Mikel Arteta, PSG are very strong on the sides, a lot of rotations.\n\n‘It’s very important for Hincapie and Mosquera to get out to them. It’s essential that Saka and Trossard are honest tonight and double up defensively. This is a great PSG team, look at the talent on the show.’\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Why Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber are on the bench for Arsenal vs PSG"
}