Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres have been left out of Arsenal’s starting XI for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Timber has not played since the win over Everton in March, missing the last 14 games with a groin injury. He returned to training this week, and Mikel Arteta announced on Friday that he is fit enough to start against the defending champions. However, Arsenal will line up with Cristhian Mosquera at right-back, with Timber among the substitutes. Piero Hincapie is also preferred to Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.
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The decision to leave Timber on the bench was made with his lack of game time in mind, while Calafiori was dealing with an issue during the week. “Jurrien wasn’t ready to start,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “He’s done really well to at least be in a position to contribute with certain minutes. With Riccy (Calafiori) we had certain issues with him during the week so Piero is starting.”
Up front, Kai Havertz has been preferred to Viktor Gyokeres in what will be a big tactical decision from Arteta. Both have had spells leading the line for the Gunners this season, but it was the German who was preferred up front in both semi-final legs against Atletico Madrid. Myles Lewis-Skelly is also preferred in midfield to Martin Zubimendi, who is also among the substitutes.
PSG vs Arsenal: Confirmed Teams
PSG XI: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia. Subs: Barcola, Beraldo, Chevalier, Fernandez, Hernandez, Kang-In, Marin, Mayulu, Mbaye, Ramos, Zabarnyi, Zaire-Emery.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz. Subs: Kepa, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Timber, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Dowman.
“No huge surprises for me,” former Arsenal star Jack Grealish told TNT Sports. “The big decision for Mikel Arteta was up front and Havertz is more free than Gyokeres, he links the play a bit better. I like Myles in there in midfield, he gets on the ball and can start attacks.”
Steven Gerrard added: “It’s sensible from Mikel Arteta, PSG are very strong on the sides, a lot of rotations. It’s very important for Hincapie and Mosquera to get out to them. It’s essential that Saka and Trossard are honest tonight and double up defensively. This is a great PSG team, look at the talent on the show.”
More: David Raya and Matvey Safonov penalty saving records for Champions League final. More: Mikel Arteta urged to take Arsenal selection gamble against PSG – ‘It’s special circumstances’. More: Champions League prize money: How much Arsenal have earned.
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