Gabriel Agbonlahor has delivered a damning verdict on Arsenal's Champions League final credentials, selecting just one Gunners player in a combined starting XI with Paris Saint-Germain ahead of their Budapest showdown. The former Aston Villa striker believes PSG's squad depth significantly outmatches Mikel Arteta's side despite Arsenal securing their first Champions League final appearance in 30 years.
Arsenal booked their place in the final after Bukayo Saka's goal proved decisive against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, PSG recovered from a chaotic first-leg display at the Parc des Princes to edge Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Munich. The French champions enter the final as clear favourites, and Agbonlahor's team selection reinforces that perception.
Raya: Arsenal's Sole Representative
According to Agbonlahor's assessment, David Raya represents Arsenal's only pick for the combined XI, praised for his Premier League Golden Glove performance and exceptional distribution from the back. The goalkeeper has established himself as a standout performer, edging out PSG counterpart Matvey Safonov in Agbonlahor's evaluation.
Despite acknowledging Declan Rice as a quality midfielder, Agbonlahor rates Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabian Ruiz above the Arsenal captain. He particularly highlighted Ruiz's dominant display against Bayern, describing the Spanish midfielder as "the best player on the pitch" and noting his absence would create selection headaches for PSG's manager between Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery.
Attacking Mismatch: Doué Over Saka
On the wings, Agbonlahor dismissed any Arsenal representation, favouring PSG's Désiré Doué over Saka. He acknowledged Saka's importance to Arsenal following injury but suggested Doué possesses superior technical ability. In defence, the pundit built PSG's backline around Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, and Willian Pacho, commending their shutout work despite conceding late against Bayern.
The stark selection disparity underscores PSG's attacking wealth and PSG's structural advantages heading into the final, where experience in continental competition may prove decisive against an Arsenal side hungry to end a three-decade drought at this level.
