The 5 selection choices that'll define Arsenal's hopes of Champions League glory

After a week of partying, it is back to serious business for Mikel Arteta and his squad. Last Tuesday night, Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with Manchester City ensured the Gunners were crowned champions for the first time since 2004. They then got their hands on the trophy at Selhurst on Sunday, with players and supporters both near and far all having one big celebration.

Now though, there is still one more match left to play, the small matter of a Champions League final against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Puskás Aréna. Les Rouge-et-Bleu shattered the Gunners' European dreams in the semi-finals 12 months ago, so can Arsenal now be crowned Champions League winners for the very first time?

Ahead of this historic clash in Budapest, six players in Arteta's team appear written in permanent marker. David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will all start for sure. Meantime, at right-back, with Benjamin White sidelined long-term and Jurriën Timber back training, but having not featured since 14 March, Cristhian Mosquera seems the only real option.

This though leaves five spots up for grabs, so who should Arteta go for in each?

Left-back: Piero Hincapié or Riccardo Calafiori

Whoever Arteta chooses to start at left-back will give us a clear indication as to his approach. Piero Hincapié is the more defensively solid option, having been excellent throughout the season. Given who PSG have in their front line, namely Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola, the Ecuadorian appears the obvious choice.

However, the Gunners do play better with Riccardo Calafiori in the team. The Italian offeres attacking dynamism and intent that this team often lacks, but is his laissez faire attitude what is needed in such a fixture? Well, starting Hincapié allows Arteta to bring on Calafiori to change the game later on. Giving the Italian the nod would be a statement of intent, but we're leaning towards Hincapié.

Defensive midfielder: Myles Lewis-Skelly or Martín Zubimendi

This would have been a frankly ridiculous thing to say a matter of weeks ago, but it appears as though Myles Lewis-Skelly is going to start a Champions League final in midfield. The teenager was deployed in his preferred position at senior level for the very first time against Fulham as recently as 2 May, but was outstanding that evening, thereby keeping his place when Atlético Madrid visited three days later.

Martín Zubimendi was fantastic himself earlier in the campaign, the only Arsenal player to feature in all 38 Premier League fixtures. However, surely in part due to fatigue, the Spaniard's form has dropped off since the turn of the year, thereby losing his place in the first-choice lineup. Thus, at this point, it would frankly be a surprise if Lewis-Skelly was not entrusted to be Rice's partner.

Attacking midfielder: Martin Ødegaard or Eberechi Eze

The identity of Arteta's number ten is certainly more up for debate. We are just going to come straight out and assert that he should go for captain Martin Ødegaard. Given that Arsenal are likely to have a lower percentage of possession than usual, the Norwegian's on-field organisation, leading the pressing, is something they cannot do without. This was exemplified best by the team's improved performance at the Etihad last month, even if that was a defeat.

Eberechi Eze could hardly interpret the number ten position more differently. He is the ultimate maverick, capable of producing a moment of magic out of nothing, as he did against Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. That is not to say Eze is lazy or is incapable of defensive work rate, because that would be untrue. Nevertheless, assuming he is fit enough to do so, Ødegaard should start, looking to keep Arsenal in the game, with Eze a pretty decent player to have in reserve.

Left-wing: Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli

Out on the left flank, assuming Eze isn't going to be deployed there, Leandro Trossard is widely expected to be in from the start. The Belgian was excellent early in the season, enduring a major dip in the middle, before rediscovering his best in the last few weeks. His late winner against West Ham absolutely priceless to the Gunners' title triumph.

The alternative option is Gabriel Martinelli, who has certainly saved his best for the Champions League this season. The Brazilian has netted six times in Europe, including becoming the first Arsenal player ever to score in five successive Champions League appearances. His assist for Kai Havertz at Estádio José Alvalade proved crucial in ousting Sporting CP. Martinelli often gets the nod for big games, given his out-of-possession work rate, but Trossard's form is likely to get him the nod.

Striker: Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyökeres

We've potentially saved Arteta's toughest selection decision for last. Viktor Gyökeres had been frankly underwhelming during his first season in North London, despite racking up 21 goals, that is until April turned to May. The Swede was brilliant across the two legs against Atlético Madrid, as well as in the first half of the win over Fulham in-between, scoring twice and setting up Saka too.

However, we're forecasting that Arteta will go with Kai Havertz, as he did against Burnley a fortnight ago, potentially as a dry run for this final, even if the two opponents are of slightly different quality levels. The German has rarely featured across the last 16 months due to two injuries suffered in 2025, but is one of Arteta's favourites; he will always find space for Havertz in his team. Thus, we expect Gyökeres to begin the night on the bench, but could he be a hero late on?

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