The last two remaining teams in Europe’s most prestigious tournament meet in Budapest tonight – and both teams have almost a full squad to choose from.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will field virtually injury-free teams when they meet in the Champions League final tonight.
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After Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions with one game to go, Mikel Arteta took the opportunity to rest several of his first-team stars in the meaningless season finale against Crystal Palace.
He made a total of nine changes to the team that afternoon. William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard didn’t even come off the bench before it was time to celebrate at the final whistle. It was a rare opportunity for Arteta to rotate the first team – something he has been cautious about throughout the season.
Ben White’s only absence
The Gunners have struggled with injuries in various phases of the season, but before their biggest game in 20 years, Ben White is the club’s only injury absence.
The right-back had to throw in the towel with a season-ending knee injury against West Ham earlier this month, creating a major problem in that position. Jurriën Timber has not played since the 2-0 win over Everton in March, as a troublesome groin injury has kept him out of the last 14 games.
However, the Dutchman has won the race against the clock and is ready for the final. Arteta confirms that Timber is at all ready to start tonight, despite the long match-free period.
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The availability of Timber solves a major headache at right-back, and Arteta can now choose his first choice in the back four for the first time in over two months.
But there are one or two other dilemmas for the Arsenal boss to solve. Martín Zubimendi had started all 34 Premier League games before he was dropped against Fulham. Many thought it was about time – the Spaniard seemed disillusioned and lacked the brilliance that led some to call him the best signing of the season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was brought in from the cold and put into the central midfield role he has always preferred. Together with Rice, he excelled in the games against Fulham and Atlético Madrid, where Arsenal secured a place in the final.
Zubimendi said in an interview this week that he “feels normal again” after being taken out of the team, but due to fresh form, Lewis-Skelly will feel he deserves the trust. There is also a big decision to make up front: Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyökeres?
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PSG’s secret tactics they can use tonight
In PSG’s semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, Matvey Safonov sent seven of his 11 goal kicks straight out of play that night. Still, not a single hand was raised in apology from the goalkeeper. There was no frustration from Enrique or his staff on the sidelines, and no harsh words from his teammates on the pitch. It seemed like a deliberate tactic for that particular night.
Kicking the ball out of the sideline allowed the PSG players to close the space from the ensuing throw-in, with the pressure starting right in front of the sideline – denying Bayern room to quickly move the ball up the pitch. The tactic also removed the threat of losing headers from goal kicks and potentially being countered in the back room.
The tactics ensured that every member of Enrique’s team was exactly where he wanted them. It also limited Michael Olise’s influence. The former Crystal Palace star took his place on the right side of Bayern’s attack and wreaked havoc in the first leg in Paris. In the second leg, the goal-kicking routine ensured that his side of the pitch was locked and full of PSG shirts. Olise couldn’t find the space he thrives in on counter-attacks, and he was forced into tight midfield areas – exactly where PSG wanted him.
PSG will be hoping to do the same with Bukayo Saka on Arsenal’s right.
Paris Saint-Germain XI vs. Arsenal
PSG also have a clean bill of health ahead of the final, with minor concerns surrounding Ousmane Dembélé having subsided over the past week.
He started the team’s last Ligue 1 game against neighboring rivals Paris FC, but had to leave the field after just 27 minutes that afternoon. The France international did not take part in an internal friendly last weekend, but he has insisted this week that he is 100 percent healthy and ready to start.
Achraf Hakimi has not played since suffering a muscle injury in the first leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich, but he too is available.
Warren Zaire-Emery has filled in as a right-back in Hakimi’s absence in recent weeks, and he has a strong case for keeping his place despite Hakimi being ready to play.
Lucas Chevalier and Quentin Ndjantou have both made the final 24-man squad after returning from injury.
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