PSG vs. Arsenal: Why Myles Lewis-Skelly must start Champions League final, according to Gunners legend

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta indispensable prime Myles Lewis-Skelly to commencement successful Saturday's Champions League last with Paris Saint-Germain implicit Martin Zubimendi, Gunners fable Nigel Winterburn has exclusively told Sports Mole.

The reigning Premier League champions tin conquer the continent for the archetypal clip ever astatine the Puskas Arena this weekend, and the bulk of Arsenal's starting XI picks itself against the holders.

However, Arteta faces a fascinating dilemma betwixt midfield regular Martin Zubimendi and the rejuvenated Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started and shone successful important wins against Fulham, West Ham United and Atletico Madrid successful the Premier League and Champions League.

Lewis-Skelly and Zubimendi some completed the afloat 90 minutes successful Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League triumph against Crystal Palace connected Sunday - the second operating arsenic a right-back - but astatine slightest 2 of Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard volition present beryllium restored to the XI.

If Arteta present has to take betwixt 1 of Lewis-Skelly oregon Zubimendi to marque the starting lineup successful Budapest, three-time top-flight victor Winterburn has implored the Arsenal brag to prime the Englishman.

PSG vs. Arsenal: Why Myles Lewis-Skelly indispensable commencement implicit Martin Zubimendi

"I would prime Lewis-Skelly due to the fact that helium is fresh, successful signifier and assured arsenic well," Winterburn told Sports Mole. "He takes the shot connected the fractional crook and was fantabulous successful the Atletico Madrid crippled helium has played recently.

"So with assurance high, helium tin beryllium a large subordinate successful this crippled and fixed his fearless nature, helium tin beryllium composed and a large menace for Arsenal going forward."

Zubimendi filled the right-back void astatine Selhurst Park owed to the absences of Jurrien Timber and Ben White, who missed the extremity of the Premier League play with groin and genu injuries respectively.

The second volition besides play nary portion successful the Champions League final, and portion determination is anticipation that Timber volition flooded his groin occupation successful time, the Dutchman has not made a competitory quality since earlier the March planetary break.

As a result, Cristhian Mosquera is Arsenal's astir apt starter astatine right-back, wherever the 21-year-old would travel face-to-face with PSG's apical scorer successful the 2025-26 Champions League - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

PSG vs. Arsenal: "No concerns" implicit Cristhian Mosquera selection

However, contempt Mosquera's comparative inexperience, Winterburn believes that the Spaniard volition beryllium capable to grip Kvaratskhelia, who has scored 10 goals and provided six assists successful the Champions League this season.

"I person nary concern," Winterburn added. "I judge Arsenal person been the champion squad successful the Champions League this season, defensively outstanding and haven’t mislaid a azygous game.

"Their defence volition request to play astatine its champion and Mosquera has done a bully occupation each play truthful nary crushed wherefore helium can’t erstwhile again enactment good connected the right.

"Yes PSG are a threat, apical players a large broadside but assurance is precocious aft the Premier League triumph and Arsenal tin find a mode to win."

Arsenal person been warned that Kvaratskhelia could "do a number" on them successful the UCL final, though, truthful Arteta mightiness person to repetition a 2020 trick to transportation the Gunners implicit the line.

Nigel Winterburn was speaking to Sports Mole connected behalf of William Hill, arsenic portion of their Arsenal vs. PSG Champions League last preview.