PSG v Arsenal LIVE: Arteta faces huge fitness call for Champions League final as opponents name squad

Miguel Delaney, chief football writer: Gabriel Magalhaes. I’ve had a gut feeling about him scoring the set-piece winner for some time. He also missed last year’s semi-final

Richard Jolly, senior football correspondent: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Partly because he is brilliant, partly as he has been arguably the best player in the Champions League knockout stages. But with Arsenal waiting to see who will play right-back – maybe Jurrien Timber will start, but he has been out for a couple of months, maybe Cristian Mosquera – that might give an advantage to the Georgian.

Jack Rathborn, sports editor: Ousmane Dembele. For a Ballon d’Or winner to not be spoken about that much is a surprise, and while Dembele will face one of the meanest defences in recent years, his style and intelligence could crack Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. The French forward’s movement could be vital to PSG’s hopes of breaking down the Gunners, should he drift wide to ensure Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cannot be doubled up, or occupy the pocket of space between the lines, Luis Enrique will hope enough gaps open up to punish Mikel Arteta’s side.

Kieran Jackson, senior sports writer: Declan Rice. If the Arsenal linchpin can dominate the middle of the park – not necessarily in terms of possession, but in terms of breaking up play, storming through the lines and creating chances further forward – the Gunners have a chance.

Alex Pattle, sports writer: Kvaratskhelia. I agree with Rich that the uncertainty around Arsenal’s right-back situation might play into this. I have a feeling that Arsenal will succeed in neutralising one of Kvaratskhelia and Dembele but will fail to limit the other. And I’m backing Kvaratskhelia to be the more dangerous player on the night.

But Kai Havertz pinpoints a defeat, rather than a victory, as the catalyst for a season which has taken Arsenal to the Premier League title and the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.

“I think a big one was the Carabao Cup final when we lost against City,” Havertz says. “It was a moment where we felt like we could do so much better and there was so much more in this team, and everyone needed to lift their spirits. There was the international break after and we just said to ourselves that we need to come back stronger.

Miguel Delaney, chief football writer: Arsenal. I think they pose challenges, especially in team structure, that Paris Saint-Germain just haven’t had this season. Physicality could well be key. 1-0.

Richard Jolly, senior football correspondent: Paris Saint-Germain – Arsenal’s record so far, unbeaten and topping the group, means they are entitled to call themselves the best team in the competition so far. But, when PSG peak, they can reach another level, as they did in last year’s final. 2-1.

Jack Rathborn, sports editor: Arsenal. Containing Ousmane Dembele is likely to prove vital to preventing that overwhelming momentum Luis Enrique’s side can produce, as seen by that relentless finish in the first leg of the round of 16 against Chelsea. Confidence will be sky-high after the Premier League title and the way that Mikel Arteta’s side approached the away game against Man City, despite losing, shows they will not be overwhelmed by the occasion. 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Kieran Jackson, senior sports writer: Arsenal. Confidence is high and momentum is with them. If Mikel Arteta stays bold with his team selection (e.g. Lewis-Skelly over Zubimendi), I do see a 1-0 victory in the offing, with one set-piece goal in their favour.

Alex Pattle, sports writer: PSG. I think it will be a closely-contested game, tense in parts and open in others. I’ll go 2-1 to PSG, with Arsenal to trail, equalise, and ultimately suffer late disappointment.

Whether or not it is actually done on spreadsheets, it has the feel of a project pursued in a logical, disciplined manner, the product of an organised mind. Mikel Arteta is far from the only elite manager who is accused of being a control freak but, especially as Arsenal now have the vantage point of being Premier League champions there is an orderly look to their progress.

Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent’s build-up to the biggest game in European club football as Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final tomorrow.

Budapest hosts the match, with expectations high.

Can the Gunners lift the trophy for the first time in their history or will PSG land a historic repeat after last year’s crushing win over Inter Milan?

Join us for the latest updates and news, with Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly reporting from Budapest.