UCL: Arsenal coach Arteta warned not to play Premier League’s best right-back in final
Reo-Coker Cautions Arsenal on Jurrien Timber’s Match Fitness Ahead of Champions League Final
Former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to reconsider the inclusion of defender Jurrien Timber in the upcoming Champions League final. Reo-Coker expressed concerns about Timber’s lack of match fitness following the player’s extended absence from the field.
Reo-Coker’s remarks came after Arsenal secured their place in the final with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium.
“This is a significant decision,” Reo-Coker stated during an appearance on CBS Sports. “He [Jurrien Timber] has been out for so long… Are you really going to put him straight into a Champions League final?”
He emphasized that with the final approaching, players who are fit and in form should take precedence. “I don’t think you can put Timber in now, considering how long he’s been out,” he remarked.
While acknowledging Timber’s talent, Reo-Coker underscored the importance of momentum and fitness in high-stakes matches. “He is the best right-back in the Premier League, and I am not disputing the quality that he has,” he said. “But when you reach a Champions League final, those factors become crucial.”
