Arsenal’s preparation for the Champions League final against Paris Saint‑Germain is winding down, but the real drama is unfolding on the training ground. Mikel Artura faces a series of selection puzzles that could determine whether the Gunners lift Europe’s most coveted club prize for the first time since 2006. With the Premier League title already sealed, every decision now rests on who can out‑shine the French giants on the night of 28 May.
The stakes feel monumental – not just for the club, but for South African fans who have watched the Arsenal resurgence unfold season after season. The Gunners have already celebrated a historic league triumph; now the focus shifts to securing continental glory, a feat that would cement their status as the world’s “outstanding team” in modern football.
The forward selection dilemma
Artura’s biggest conundrum centres on the front‑line striker spot. Two very different profiles are contending for the role: the Swedish powerhouse Viktor Gyokeres and the German play‑maker Kai Havertz. Both earned a start in the recent, largely inconsequential, match at Crystal Palace, but their long‑term value to the team diverges sharply.
| Player | Season goals | Key attributes | Recent form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viktor Gyokeres | 21 (all competitions) | Physical centre‑forward, strong aerial presence, high pressing work‑rate (10.6 km covered in semi‑final) | Scored twice in win over Fulham; vital channel runs against Atletico Madrid |
| Kai Havertz | 9 (all competitions) | Versatile attacker, excellent link‑up play, Champions League final winner (Chelsea 2021) | Assisted goal vs Manchester City; created 35 % more shots when starting |
The table shows Gyokeres as the outright scorer, while Havertz contributes more to overall ball progression. Artura must decide whether to prioritise a clinical finisher or a forward who can draw defenders and create space for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.
Both options have merit. Gyokeres’ movement has improved dramatically, and his relentless pressing helped Arsenal neutralise Atletico’s counter‑attack. Conversely, Havertz’ presence in the attacking third increased possession and shot volume in the last five Premier League fixtures. The choice may come down to which attribute Artura believes will unsettle a PSG side that boasts a lethal midfield.
Left‑wing options
The left flank will also influence the striker decision, as the player occupying this space often dictates the centre‑forward’s support. Gabriel Martínelli entered the season as a likely starter, scoring in six of his first seven Champions League games, but his drought since January has seen him drop out of the XI. Leandro Trossard, back after a short stint on the bench, has rediscovered form and now forms a potent trio with Gyokeres and Saka.
| Left‑wing candidate | Champions League goals | Premier League starts (last 10) | Impact when paired with Gyokeres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leandro Trossard | 3 | 9 | Front‑three won 12 of 13 PL games |
| Gabriel Martínelli | 1 | 2 | Limited influence, recent dip |
| Eberechi Eze | 0 | 5 (various positions) | Provides creativity but less proven on the wing |
The trio of Trossard, Gyokeres and Saka has delivered an impressive 12‑win record in 13 league outings, underscoring the chemistry that Artura may want to preserve.
Midfield balance: Ødegaard vs Eze
In the No 10 role, the competition pits the Norwegian captain Martin Ødegaard against England’s Eberechi Eze. Ødegaard’s return from injury has injected vision and tactical control; his passing accuracy of 89 % remains the highest among Arsenal’s midfielders. Eze, meanwhile, offers dynamism and an ability to break lines with dribbles past defenders, but his defensive contributions lag behind Ødegaard’s pressing statistics.
| Metric | Ødegaard | Eze |
|---|---|---|
| Pass completion | 89 % | 78 % |
| Key passes per 90 min | 2.6 | 2.1 |
| Defensive presses per 90 min | 13 | 9 |
| Goals + assists | 5 | 3 |
Ødegaard’s superior creative output and leadership—highlighted by Artura’s recent comments that he “connects everybody and glides the team together”—make him the logical starter, while Eze will likely feature as an impact sub.
Midfield engine room: Zubimendi or Lewis‑Skelly?
The partnership alongside Declan Rice at the base of the midfield presents another fork in the road. Veteran Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been a reliable shield but appears fatigued after 56 league minutes this season. In contrast, 19‑year‑old Myles Lewis‑Skelly has burst onto the scene with high‑intensity passes and a willingness to cover ground, amassing 4,300 meters in his last three appearances.
| Player | Games played | Average tackles per game | Passes completed per 90 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Zubimendi | 56 | 2.3 | 34 |
| Myles Lewis‑Skelly | 4 (starter) | 3.1 | 45 |
Lewis‑Skelly’s emerging momentum suggests Artura could reward the youngster with a starting berth, adding freshness to a midfield that has already delivered a title‑winning campaign.
Full‑back selections
The defensive flanks are equally crucial. Right‑back remains undecided: if Jurrien Timber passes his fitness test, he will likely reclaim the spot; otherwise, 21‑year‑old Cristhian Mosquera or even Zubimendi (who covered the role at Crystal Palace) could fill in. On the left, the choice is between Italian youngster Riccardo Calafiori and fellow Italian Piero Hincapié. Calafiori has featured in 10 of Arsenal’s last 11 wins and shares a strong on‑field rapport with Trossard, while Hincapié offers a more defensively disciplined profile.
| Left‑back | Recent starts | Defensive duels won per game | Attacking contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riccardo Calafiori | 10 (last 11 matches) | 3.2 | 1 key pass |
| Piero Hincapié | 8 (last 11 matches) | 4.1 | 0.3 key passes |
Calafiori’s attacking unpredictability could be decisive against a PSG side that thrives on pressing high, whereas Hincapié’s solidity may help contain Paris’s lethal forwards.
What the lineup could look like
If Artura opts for Gyokeres up front, the most cohesive XI would likely feature Trossard on the left, Ødegaard behind him, and a midfield of Rice, Lewis‑Skelly and perhaps Zubimendi. The back‑four could read Timber (RB), Saliba and Gabriel (CBs), with Calafiori at left‑back.
Conversely, a Havertz‑led attack might see the German paired with Saka on the right, Eze sliding in on the left to provide creativity, Ødegaard retaining the No 10, and Lewis‑Skelly cementing the midfield trio.
Arsenal Champions League final lineup: key decisions shaping the night
The final’s outcome will hinge on how Artura blends experience with youthful exuberance. Gyokeres offers a goal‑scoring guarantee, but Havertz delivers a more fluid link‑up that could unlock PSG’s tight defence. The left side leans heavily on Trossard’s familiarity, while Ødegaard remains the creative fulcrum the Gunners need to dictate tempo. In midfield, the battle between Zubimendi’s veteran steadiness and Lewis‑Skelly’s fresh energy could tip the balance, especially against Paris’s midfield maestro.
Bottom line: Artura’s choices will be judged not only by the result but by the narrative they craft – a squad that proved resilience in the Premier League and now seeks continental glory, embodying the grit and flair that South African supporters adore.
If the Gunners manage to combine Gyokeres’s finishing with Ødegaard’s vision, backed by a solid midfield and full‑backs capable of both defence and attack, they stand a realistic chance of ending the night in Paris with the Champions League trophy. The stage is set; now it’s merely a matter of which eleven Artura writes into history.