Arsenal face off against Paris Saint-Germain in today’s much-awaited Champions League final in Budapest.
The Gunners are viewed as underdogs for the encounter due to Paris Saint-Germain’s brilliant attacking exploits this term.
Arsenal should still go into the contest with plenty of optimism after ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta looks poised to make nine changes to the starting XI.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya has had an exceptional Champions League campaign, keeping nine clean sheets and conceding just four goals. He is expected to start in goal after being rested for the final league game of the season at Crystal Palace.
There will be three changes to the Gunners’ backline. Martin Zubimendi played as a makeshift right-back against the Eagles, while Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera formed the heart of the defence. The trio should make way.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are poised to start in central defence. Arteta has confirmed a double injury boost for the game, with Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke fit to start after respective injuries.
The former has been sidelined for the past two months with a nagging groin issue. He could be unleashed from the off at right-back, though he may not play 90 minutes. The Dutchman has a task of nullifying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s threat.
Riccardo Calafiori will continue as the Gunners’ left-back. Similarly, Myles Lewis-Skelly should get the nod alongside Declan Rice in the centre of the park. The Gunners graduate’s mobility and work rate could be key against PSG’s high pressing midfield.
Zubimendi’s form has been inconsistent in the last few months, and he may have to settle for a bench role. Martin Odegaard should accompany the midfield duo in a more advanced position. His clever range of distribution could help in launching counterattacks against PSG’s high line.
Max Dowman will drop to the substitutes’ bench alongside Christian Norgaard from last weekend. In the final third, there should be an overhaul with Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus making way. Bukayo Saka is an obvious starter on the right wing.
He scored in the last meeting against Les Parisiens, where he squandered another big scoring chance. Saka had the better of Nuno Mendes on multiple occasions and should relish the challenge on the right wing today.
Leandro Trossard was guilty of missing a golden scoring opportunity in the first leg of the semi-final against PSG last term. The Belgian has recently found form with a goal and assist this month, and should get the nod on the left side of the attack.
Kai Havertz’s mobility was preferred over Viktor Gyokeres’ physical presence against Burnley. The German eventually scored the winner with a header. Still, we are backing Gyokeres to start upfront.
He had his best European game for the Gunners in the second leg of the semi-final against Atletico, where he was brilliant with his hold-up and link-up play. He should be trusted to lead the line and pose a different challenge for PSG’s backline, which can be vulnerable when put under pressure.
How Arsenal could line up vs PSG
Stats from Sofascore.com