MUNICH: Arsenal have made several notable selection decisions for Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, with defender Jurrien Timber left on the bench despite recovering from injury and Kai Havertz chosen to lead the attack.
Timber Benched, Mosquera Starts
Timber, who had been sidelined since March with a groin injury but was recently declared fit, was not included in Arsenal’s starting lineup for the showpiece clash. Instead, Cristhian Mosquera was handed the start at right back, while 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was selected in midfield ahead of Martin Zubimendi.
Havertz Gets Nod Over Gyokeres
In attack, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted for Havertz as the lone striker, choosing the German international over Viktor Gyokeres for the biggest match of the club’s season. Havertz brings proven pedigree on the grand stage, having scored the winning goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League final.
PSG at Full Strength
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique named what is widely considered his preferred starting lineup. The French champions were boosted by the return of key players Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom recovered fully from recent injury concerns. Hakimi started at left back, while Dembele was included in the attacking line as PSG sought to secure their first Champions League title.
Final Promises Close Contest
With both sides fielding strong lineups, the final promised to be a closely contested battle between two teams chasing European glory. For Arsenal, the match represented a chance to end a lengthy drought in Europe’s premier competition, while PSG aimed to finally lift the trophy that has eluded them despite years of heavy investment. The tactical battle between Arteta and Luis Enrique added another layer of intrigue to the decisive showdown in Munich.
