Arsenal v PSG LIVE: Champions League final team news as Mikel Arteta confirms Jurrien Timber fitness

With demand for this Champions League final so high and flight prices rocketing, some fans have taken a more creative route to Budapest.

Including The Independent’s International Editor Chris Stevenson, who is currently on a train from Munich to Salzburg.

“An early start in Munich for the first of three trains to Budapest,” notes Chris. “Not many Arsenal fans, with most taking the train starting in Vienna in seems – but still some scattered ‘come on Arsenal’ shouts and thumbs up while travelling through Munich.

“A comfy train, a full buffet car of schnitzels and wurst sausages and views of the mountains before we cross the border into Austria and Salzburg.”

Who will lift the Champions League?

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.

“I think he’s been brilliant since he came in. I think he’s been unbelievable for us. Scored a lot of goals and not just the goals but the way he plays.

“The attention he takes on the pitch and leaves a lot of space for the rest of us.

“He’s someone who gives absolutely everything every single game and he works so hard.

“He’s so determined to get in front of the goal and make the difference.”

In those long minutes before the final whistle at Bournemouth, some of Mikel Arteta’s players had to leave the room for a few moments to themselves. It was that tense. They were feeling every second of it.

When Manchester City’s 1-1 draw was finally confirmed, there was euphoria – but some in the room noticed something else in the reaction. It was pure release. There were guttural roars as players simply let everything out.

Staff members immediately burst into tears.

The feeling, when some reflected on it the next day, was that this meant far more than just the title or ending a 22-year wait – despite how significant those achievements obviously are.

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé says he is “100 per cent ready and raring to go” in the Champions League final against Arsenal despite carrying a calf injury.

The French forward was substituted against Paris FC on 17 May, but has resumed training since and should start against the Gunners.

“I wasn’t scared about missing the final,” Dembélé told a news conference at the Puskas Arena on Friday. “I stopped as soon as I felt the niggle (against Paris FC).”

Ever since the European Cup was rebranded to the Champions League 34 years ago, the final has been available to watch without a subscription to any premium TV service – shown on ITV from 1992 to 2015 and then streamed for free by TNT Sports and its forerunner, BT Sport, for the past decade.

However, UK rights holder TNT Sports (owned by Warner Bros Discovery) has confirmed that this year, viewers will only be able to watch the clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday 30 May on either its own platform or HBO Max, both requiring a subscription.

Full details below:

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.

Arteta on Timber fitness:

“Yeah, he’s fit yeah.”

Question: Fit enough to start the game?

“Yes.”

Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s Champions League final coverage as Arsenal take on holders Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

The Gunners are looking to complete a famous double and perhaps the greatest season in their history after clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.

Luis Enrique’s PSG can win back-to-back European crowns, and the French outfit came out on top when these sides met in last year’s semi-final.

Follow all the latest build-up and team news, plus analysis from the Independent’s Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly in Budapest as we build up to kick-off.