The predicted Arsenal team to start against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final at the Puskas Arena
06:00, 30 May 2026
Jurrien Timber is fit to start for Arsenal against PSG
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Jurrien Timber is fit to start for Arsenal against PSG(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Paris-Saint Germain, aiming to win the competition for the first time. Thousands of supporters have travelled to Budapest with or without tickets with the dream of seeing their side lift the big-eared piece of silverware.
For Mikel Arteta, winning the Champions League would take him into a stratosphere of Arsenal history entirely untouched. It would mean a Premier League and European double-winning season and make Sunday’s parade even more special.
To win the trophy, however, requires quality all over the field, and there still remain questions about several aspects of the team. It is the most highly anticipated Arsenal line-up of all time and could be the most successful, or again, another nearly moment. We hope the former.
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Here is who football.london predicts will start for Arsenal:
David Raya
The Spaniard has kept nine clean sheets in the competition so far, and a tenth is the target. Do that, and it gives the Gunners an exceptional chance of winning the coveted trophy.
Jurrien Timber
Having trained this week, and this being the biggest game ever for the club, it makes sense that the risk would be taken and Jurrien Timber makes his long-awaited return to the side for the first time since mid-March. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the opponent, and it will be his biggest test ever. Arteta's confirmation the player is fit to start is also a massive boost.
William Saliba
The Frenchman will be holding the line for plenty of PSG supporters when he lines up for his country at the World Cup, but on Saturday night, he instead must keep out some of the nation’s best forwards like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Gabriel Magalhaes
The Brazilian could offer Arsenal at both ends of the field what they need to win this game. The set pieces that have threatened and downed so many teams this season will take centre-stage again for the Gunners, striking fear into any PSG defender with Gabriel in focus.
Riccardo Calafiori
Despite the form of Piero Hincapie, it is Riccardo Calafiori’s talent at left-back which will cause the chaos necessary to overrun the PSG midfield. The Italian has been brilliant and is expected to be the pick on the left.
Declan Rice
The make-up of the Arsenal midfield has become another point of contention, but having Declan Rice at the base offers the Gunners the perfect anchor who can still press the technical skill of the PSG midfield. But equally offers the best shield for the defenders.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
A month ago, it might not have been the 19-year-old, but his form has made it easy for Mikel Arteta to select him for this massive game. Some might have thought Martin Zubimendi gets the nod, but the reality is the youngster has shown fantastic promise in the middle of the field for the Gunners and deserves his place.
Martin Odegaard
Eberechi Eze’s form just dropped at the wrong time, and therefore, the captain takes the starting spot in the middle. His contributions lately have seen him recover some of his own best form too, the assist at West Ham a crucial moment. Could he be about to lift yet another big trophy in the space of a week?
Bukayo Saka
Most would suggest that, if they could choose one player to win the UEFA Champions League, it would be the one who has been there since the start: Mikel Arteta. Saka was not fully fit when he faced PSG last season, but he looks back to his old self at the perfect time.
Kai Havertz
It is a big call to leave the top scorer, Viktor Gyokeres, out of the starting line-up, but it was also against Burnley, and the German delivered. He also has the experience of scoring a Champions League final-winning goal!
Leandro Trossard
The Belgian has hit some real form in the last month, which comes at the perfect time for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. He will be looking to punish Achraf Hakimi’s forward movement and continue his reputation for scoring big goals in the biggest of games.
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