Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will both have virtually fully-fit squads to choose from when they meet in the Champions League final tonight.
After being crowned Premier League champions with a game to spare, Mikel Arteta was able to rest his first-team stars in their dead rubber on the final day of the season against Crystal Palace.
He made nine changes to his side that afternoon with William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard not even coming off the bench until it came time to celebrate at the final whistle.
It was a rare opportunity for Arteta to rotate his first-team – something he has been wary of doing throughout the season.
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The Gunners have battled injury problems at various stages this term but ahead of their biggest game in 20 years, Ben White is their only injury absentee.
The right-back was forced off with a season-ending knee injury against West Ham earlier this month, leaving a major problem to solve in that position. Jurrien Timber has not played since the 2-0 win over Everton in March with a troublesome groin injury ruling him out of the last 14 games.
The Dutchman has won his race to be fit for the final, however, with Arteta confirming he is even ready to start tonight despite the lengthy lay-off.
Arsenal XI to face PSG – Metro prediction
Timber’s availability solves a major headache at right-back and Arteta can now name his first choice back four for the first time in over two months.
But there are one or two other dilemmas for the Arsenal boss to solve. Martin Zubimendi had started all 34 of his side’s Premier League matches before being dropped against Fulham. It was overdue – the Spaniard was jaded and lacking the sparkle that had some christening him the signing of the season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was brought in from the cold, deployed in the midfield role he has always favoured. Alongside Rice, he shone in games against Fulham and Atletico Madrid where the Gunners booked their place in the final.
Zubimendi said in an interview this week he ‘feels normal again’ after being taken out of the team but on form, Lewis-Skelly will feel he deserves the nod.
There is also a big decision to make up front – Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres?
PSG’s secret tactic they could use tonight
In PSG’s semi-final second-leg against Bayern, Matvey Safonov sent seven of his 11 goal kicks straight out of play that evening. But there was no hand raised in apology from the goalkeeper, no frustration from Enrique and his staff on the touchline or any stern words from his teammates on the pitch. It appeared to be a tactic designed for the night.
Kicking the ball into touch allowed PSG players to close down the space from the resulting throw-in with the press beginning right in front of the touchline, denying Bayern space to quickly move the ball back up the field.
It also removed the threat of losing headers from goal kicks and potentially being caught out of position. The tactic ensured every member of Enrique’s team was right where he wanted them to be.
The ploy limited the impact of Michael Olise. The former Crystal Palace star takes up his position on the right of Bayern’s attack, doing damage in that wild first leg in Paris.
The second time around, the goal kick routine ensured his side of the pitch was locked down and swarming with PSG shirts. Olise could not find the space he thrives in on the counter-attack and was forced into congested midfield areas – exactly what PSG would have preferred him to be.
PSG will hope to do the same with Bukayo Saka on Arsenal’s right.
PSG XI to face Arsenal – Metro prediction
PSG also have a clean bill of health heading into the final with minor concerns over Ousmane Dembele easing over the last week.
He started his side’s final match of the Ligue 1 campaign against neighbours Paris FC but was forced off after just 27 minutes that afternoon.
The France international was not involved in an intense inter-squad friendly match last weekend but has insisted this week he is 100 per cent fit and ready to start.
Achraf Hakimi has not played since suffering a muscle injury in the semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich he will also be available.
Warren Zaire-Emery has deputised at right-back in Hakimi’s absence over recent weeks and has a very strong case for keeping his place despite Hakimi’s availability.
Lucas Chevalier and Quentin Ndjantou have both made the final 24-man squad after injuries.
PSG vs Arsenal kick-off time, live stream and TV channel
The Champions League final kicks off at the earlier time of 5pm this evening.
You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the HBO Max app.
You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE matchday blog.