PSG vs Arsenal: Why Achraf Hakimi shouldn't start the Champions League final?

On May 30, Luis Enrique and Paris Saint-Germain will have a wonderful opportunity to make history once again when they clash against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in the Champions League final in the Puskas Arena.

The Parisians could become the first team since Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid to win back-to-back Champions League titles, but, the task will not be easy against the Premier League winners and one of the best defensive team in Europe.

For this game, the Spaniard coach will be happy to to count on both Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi as they both recently made their return to first team training, just four days before the crucial battle. While there is no doubt over the 2025 Ballon d'Or's presence in the starting lineup, there is shadows cast on Hakimi's presence at the start of the game after missing over three weeks of competition following his injury sustained in the first-leg of the semi-finals against Bayern Munich.

Therefore, the main question is whether or not the Luis Enrique should take the risk to have the Moroccan international start this game?

Why Achraf Hakimi should not start the final?

Warren Zaire-Emery is completely fit

Warren Zaire-Emery has proved numerous time this season that he can occupy this position at the highest level, while offering a different option to his team playing as an inverted full-back in possession.

He could be the perfect option to start the game for PSG with Hakimi coming off the bench in the second half against Arsenal's tired legs. His pace and abilities to break forward could be decisive in the last 30 minutes of the game as it could result to a goal or assist.

Ultimately, starting a player that return to training just four days before the final could be a massive risks in a game of this importance, even more when history is on the line. Now, it is understandable that Achraf Hakimi is the only right-back of this team, but Zaire-Emery proved he could do the job all season.

Risk of an early substitution

We have seen many times players rushing to come back for an important game and ending up either injured or completely out of form. A similar scenario could be deadly for PSG against an opponent such as Arsenal who know how to make the most of every weaknesses.

Having Hakimi start and be subbed off early due to a relapse or poor form could be a massive blow to PSG's spirit in this final. Let's just hope that this scenario doesn't come to pass.

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