Arsenal’s Mosquera, Havertz start Champions League final

Cristhian Mosquera starts the Champions League final for Arsenal at right-back against holders Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, with Jurrien Timber named on the bench after over two months out with a groin injury.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta said the Dutch defender was fit to start but opted to play centre-back Mosquera on the right of the defence instead, up against arguably the tournament’s top performer, PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The Spaniard also selects Kai Havertz in attack instead of Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie at left-back over Riccardo Calafiori.

Arteta chose teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield over Spain international Martin Zubimendi, as he did in the semi-final second leg win over Atletico Madrid.

For Luis Enrique’s French champions Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi start despite previous injury issues.

Morocco international Hakimi’s last match was PSG’s thrilling 5-4 semi-final first leg win over Bayern Munich, after which he was sidelined with a thigh problem.

Fabian Ruiz starts in a strong midfield trio with Vitinha and Joao Neves, behind the dynamic attacking trio of Ballon d’Or winner Dembele, fit after a calf problem, Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.

Luis Enrique’s line-up features 10 of the same 11 players that began the 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in last year’s final as PSG won the trophy for the first time.

The only change is Matvey Safonov in goal after Gianluigi Donnarumma left to join Manchester City last summer.

Starting line-ups:

Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)

Matvey Safonov; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos (capt), Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Coach: Luis Enrique (ESP)

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)

David Raya; Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard (capt), Leandro Trossard; Kai Havertz

Coach: Mikel Arteta (ESP)

Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)

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