Arsenal selects Kai Havertz for Champions League final against PSG
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed his decision to start Kai Havertz in tonight’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The match is highly anticipated, marking a significant moment as Arsenal seeks its first Champions League title, reports BritPanorama.
The Gunners enter this high-stakes encounter with momentum, having recently secured the Premier League title, overcoming Manchester City in a tense finale. Arteta has opted for a strong lineup, featuring David Raya in goal, while the defensive unit comprises Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Piero Hincapie. The midfield includes Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Martin Ødegaard.
Havertz will lead the attack, taking the position over both Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus, supported by Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard. Despite Havertz’s modest tally of just six goals this season, Arteta emphasized that this selection stems from tactical considerations rather than individual performance metrics.
Arteta described the decision-making process as challenging, acknowledging the different qualities both forwards bring to the team. “Very difficult because they both bring different stuff,” he stated. “But with the game we expect, we believe it was the right call to start with him, and we have time to bring Viktor [Gyokeres] on at any moment.”
As Arsenal aims for glory in their first Champions League final since 2006—where they were narrowly defeated by Barcelona—Arteta expressed confidence in his squad’s capabilities and readiness to confront the Parisian giants. He asserted, “The ambition is bigger. We have one [trophy], and now we want the second one. That’s all we’ve been talking about.”
Reflecting on the collective mindset of his players, Arteta noted the importance of harnessing previous experiences to foster a relentless desire for success. “That they want more… We have the opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of this football club,” he stated. “In order to do that, we have to play with such clarity, a lot of courage, and a relentless desire to win.”
Ahead of what could be a landmark evening for Arsenal, the stage is set for a spectacle of football history, reminding fans how ambition often intersects with destiny at the highest levels of the game.
