Old footage posted by UEFA has reignited debate over Mikel Arteta’s selection plans for Arsenal’s Champions League final against PSG.
The clip, shared on X on Thursday, dates back to last November when Spain beat Georgia 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi was among the goalscorers during that match against Georgia.
He also produced a standout defensive moment in the game, running down the wing to dispossess Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
That moment has taken on fresh significance given Arsenal must find a way to stop the PSG superstar in the final tomorrow.
There remains significant uncertainty surrounding Jurrien Timber, who has returned to training this week but has not played since injuring his groin against Everton in mid-March.
Being fit enough to feature is one thing, but facing one of the best wingers in the world is quite another challenge entirely.
Cristhian Mosquera is also pushing for a starting role, though his profile as a centre-back means mobility could be a concern against a player of Kvaratskhelia’s quality.
Last Sunday at Crystal Palace, Arteta surprised many by selecting Zubimendi at right-back, a decision that now appears potentially deliberate in its timing.
The footage of the Spaniard nullifying Kvaratskhelia could be precisely the kind of evidence Arteta needed to justify deploying him in a defensive role again.
Zubimendi has lost his starting spot in midfield in recent weeks following the revival of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is expected to keep his place in central midfield alongside Declan Rice.
Leaving Zubimendi out of the starting lineup entirely would be a tough call given his decisive contribution to Arsenal’s season.
If Timber is ruled out, Zubimendi filling in at full-back remains a genuine possibility that Arteta appears to have been quietly preparing for.
At this stage, Mosquera still looks the most likely to start given Timber was unable to feature at Crystal Palace last weekend, but nothing appears settled just yet.
