PSG vs Arsenal projected lineups

Who, what, when and why it matters:

Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will meet in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, with some 67,000 spectators expected to attend. The match pits defending champions PSG — who won last season’s final 5-0 against Inter — against Arsenal, the Premier League winners aiming to lift Europe’s biggest club prize for the first time. Below are the projected lineups supplied by World Soccer Talk, plus the tactical implications and key matchups to watch.

Projected lineups (what the source says)

World Soccer Talk published projected starting XIs for both sides ahead of the final. These are presented as the outlet projected them and should be checked against official team announcements before kick-off.

PSG (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): David Raya; Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Declan Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard; Kai Havertz.

Why it matters

For PSG, a victory would make them only the second club in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy, a feat previously achieved by Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018. The result would also further enhance Luis Enrique’s European record. For Arsenal, winning the final would complete a landmark season: having ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, the club would claim a first-ever Champions League crown and cap what many supporters would regard as an historic campaign.

Tactical matchups and storylines supported by the source

The source frames this final as a clash of contrasting strengths. PSG are described as one of Europe’s most prolific attacking teams under Luis Enrique, while Arsenal are credited with one of the competition’s strongest defensive units. Arsenal’s season-long defensive discipline and set-piece productivity were highlighted: the report notes Arsenal has scored 64 set-piece goals since the start of the 2023-24 campaign (the highest in Europe’s top five leagues by at least nine) and has conceded just six goals in 14 Champions League matches, with goalkeeper David Raya matching the competition record of nine clean sheets.

The projected PSG XI suggests a front three capable of direct chance creation (Dembele and Kvaratskhelia, with Doue through the middle) supported by a midfield of Vitinha, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz. PSG’s defensive experience is represented by Marquinhos and the presence of full-backs Hakimi and Mendes. Arsenal’s XI, according to the projection, fields a double pivot of Declan Rice and Jarell Lewis-Skelly and relies on wide and creative threat from Saka and Ødegaard with Havertz as the focal point.

PSG’s attacking trio versus Arsenal’s defensive record and set-piece strength.
Arsenal’s defensive unit — low goals conceded and nine clean sheets for David Raya in the competition — as a counter to PSG’s forward firepower.
Midfield battles: the presence of Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz for PSG against Declan Rice and Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal.

Context and club implications

The source highlights what a win would mean historically: PSG seeking to join Real Madrid as back-to-back winners in the Champions League era; Luis Enrique chasing a third European Cup which would position him among elite managers. For Arsenal, lifting the trophy would be an unprecedented achievement in the club’s history and cap a season that already delivered the Premier League title.

The source also notes recent head-to-head form: PSG had beaten English opposition in a run of five straight Champions League knockout ties and overcame Arsenal in last season’s semifinals. These past results are cited to underline PSG’s recent success against English clubs in Europe.

What happens next (verification needed)

World Soccer Talk’s projected lineups provide a clear snapshot of how the final might look, but these are projections rather than confirmed team sheets. Confirmed lineups, kick-off time, referee appointment, and official match-day details should be obtained from the clubs or UEFA match communications before publication. Any late injuries, tactical changes, or official substitutions announced by PSG or Arsenal will supersede these projections.

PSG arrive as defending Champions League winners (last final 5-0 vs Inter).
Arsenal seek their first Champions League title after winning the Premier League.
World Soccer Talk’s projected XIs place PSG in a 4-3-3 and Arsenal in a 4-2-3-1.

PSG Arsenal Champions League Final Projected Lineups Budapest