Arsenal vs PSG: Who has the most expensive starting XI in the Champions League final?
Injuries, selection dilemmas and squad valuations set the stage as Arsenal and PSG prepare for a tightly poised Champions League final showdown.
The 2026 Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain is being billed as a clash of styles, with the Gunners’ physical, set-piece-focused approach coming up against PSG’s fast-paced, free-flowing football.
The contrast makes predicting a winner a complicated task, while it is also a challenge to forecast exactly how the two teams will line up from the start at Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday.
Arsenal team news and selection calls
For Arsenal, defender Jurrien Timber could be involved after more than two months out, although it would be a surprise to see him thrown straight back into such a huge game. With that in mind, Cristhian Mosquera could start at right-back.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi has lost his place in recent weeks, so Myles Lewis-Skelly may keep his spot alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Possible Arsenal team to face PSG
Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
According to Transfermarkt, that starting lineup would be valued at €710 million, which works out at around $825 million. That is down from Arsenal’s most valuable starting XI, which is worth €830 million (approximately $965 million) and includes Timber, Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, who will hope to start in Budapest.
PSG injury updates and selection outlook
For PSG, Achraf Hakimi is the main concern after suffering a hamstring injury in the first leg of their semifinal against Bayern Munich. The Moroccan international has resumed training, however, and the fact he has only been out for a few weeks means he appears more likely to start than Timber for Arsenal.
Current Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele went off in PSG’s final league game against Paris FC, although it is believed he will recover from a calf problem in time to start.
Possible PSG team to face Arsenal
Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Squad value edge and key stars
The above XI is valued by Transfermarkt at $837 million (roughly $927 million), but it is not the most expensive lineup available. PSG’s strongest possible XI, in terms of value, would include goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, Ilya Zabarnyi and Bradley Barcola and be worth €870 million ($1.01 billion).
Either way, PSG just shades it, although Arsenal have the two most highly rated players on their books, with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both valued at €120 million (just under $140 million). The French club’s top-valued stars are João Neves and Vitinha at €110 million (almost $128 million).
These figures, of course, will count for little once the action gets underway on the pitch in Saturday’s eagerly anticipated final.
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