Arsenal enters the final stretch of the season with two massive objectives: winning the Premier League and lifting their first Champions League title. However, Mikel Arteta remains cautious about the physical progress of several key players, especially Mikel Merino and Jurriën Timber, both still far from returning to action.
The Spanish manager spoke at Friday’s press conference ahead of Premier League matchday 36, where Arsenal will visit the London Stadium to face West Ham in a London derby charged with urgency for both sides. The Gunners need a win to maintain their lead and keep control of the title race, while the Hammers fight to escape the relegation zone.
Merino and Timber have been completely ruled out. The Navarrese midfielder recently resumed individual training after a stress fracture in his right foot sustained earlier this year, which required surgery in February. Still, Arteta was emphatic in ruling him out this weekend. “There is no possibility for the match. There is still a lot of work ahead. Everything needs to be very fluid and very fast for them to have any chance of playing,” he explained, also including Timber in that assessment.
Merino’s recovery remains a closely watched issue both at Arsenal and within the Spanish national team. The international player is racing against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup and still hopes to return before the season ends. The London club does not want to take risks with a player considered vital in the dressing room.
Beyond injuries, Arteta focused on the team’s competitive mindset. “Understanding the context of the match is crucial for both clubs. We know how important it is and what we need to do to win,” he said ahead of the visit to West Ham.
Arsenal is also boosted by their Champions League final qualification, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 in Budapest. Regarding the French side, Arteta showed respect but also full confidence in his players. “We knew we would face a great opponent, whether it was Bayern or PSG. They have immense quality, but we trust that when the moment comes, we will do what we know how to do.”
When asked about criticism in England regarding how Arsenal celebrated their victory over Atlético, Arteta avoided controversy but left a slightly ironic response. “I think every opinion must be respected and placed where it belongs,” he stated.
Arteta also praised Bukayo Saka, who scored the goal that sealed their Champions League final spot: “It has been a pleasure working with him. He is someone you can fully trust, both for his footballing level and his values and behavior.” Another standout was David Raya. The Spanish goalkeeper was decisive again this week, and Arteta highlighted his consistency: “He has been exceptional since he arrived. Sometimes we normalize saves or actions that are not normal.”
With three Premier League matches remaining and a European final on the horizon, Arsenal faces a defining period.
