Arsenal and PSG Gear Up for Champions League Final in Budapest
The stage is set in Budapest. Arsenal, fresh from ending their long wait for a Premier League title, now chase the biggest prize of all against the Champions League holders, Paris Saint‑Germain, on Saturday night.
Both clubs have named their travelling squads. Both have smuggled a significant piece of good news into the luggage.
Timber back on board for Arsenal
For Mikel Arteta, the headline is clear: Jurrien Timber is on the plane.
The Dutch full-back, out since March with a groin injury, was photographed boarding Arsenal’s flight to Hungary on Thursday. He has trained this week and, while there are no guarantees over his minutes, his presence alone changes the feel of Arsenal’s preparations. At the very least, Arteta has another high‑level defensive option available if the final tightens into a tactical stalemate.
Arsenal arrive as champions of England, looking to crown a “memorable season” with a first Champions League title. Arteta’s squad reflects that blend of stability and ambition that has carried them this far.
Arsenal travelling squad
- Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tommy Setford.
- Defenders: Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Marli Salmon.
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino, Christian Norgaard.
- Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Max Dowman.
Rice, Odegaard and Zubimendi give Arsenal a powerful, technical core in midfield, while Saka, Martinelli, Havertz and Gyokeres offer a variety of threats in the final third. Behind them, Saliba and Gabriel anchor a defence that has grown into one of Europe’s most reliable. Timber’s return only deepens that platform.
PSG boosted by Dembele and Hakimi
Across the divide, Luis Enrique has his own reasons to feel encouraged.
Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi, both doubts in the build‑up, have been named in PSG’s travelling group. Dembele picked up an injury in the final Ligue 1 game of the season against Paris FC and has not been involved in training. Hakimi has been out since the first leg of the semi‑final against Bayern Munich.
Yet both are on the flight. For a manager who leans heavily on width, speed and high‑risk attacking patterns, that matters.
Hakimi’s inclusion carries an extra layer of intrigue. The full-back scored against Arsenal in last year’s semi‑final and knows exactly how to exploit the spaces their aggressive shape can leave. If he is fit enough to feature, his duels down the flank could tilt the contest.
PSG travelling squad
- Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Matvey Safonov, Renato Marin.
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Hernandez, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho.
- Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu, Dro Fernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves.
The spine is familiar: Marquinhos at the back, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz knitting play in midfield, Zaire‑Emery bringing energy and bite. With Hakimi and Nuno Mendes providing thrust from full‑back, PSG retain their usual capacity to turn a tight game in a single transition.
Fine margins in Budapest
So both managers get a late lift. Timber on one side, Dembele and Hakimi on the other. None of them guaranteed to start, all of them capable of deciding a final in one moment.
Arsenal arrive chasing history. PSG arrive defending it. By Saturday night in Budapest, only one of them will leave with Europe at their feet.
