On the eve of the biggest fixture in Arsenal's recent continental history, the Football gods may have just winked in their direction. Mikel Arteta's s...
On the eve of the biggest fixture in Arsenal's recent continental history, the Football gods may have just winked in their direction. Mikel Arteta's side are deep in preparation for next Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint Germain at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, and news emerging from the French capital suggests a potential chink in the Parisian armour.It is understood that Achraf Hakimi, the jet heeled Moroccan full back whose overlapping runs have been a defining feature of PSG's transitional play this season, is now a serious doubt for the showpiece. For a team that thrives on width and the devastating combination play between Hakimi and their forward line, losing that outlet would be akin to a boxer losing his jab. The speed and incision he offers from deep allows PSG to pin opponents back, and without it, their attacking structure loses a vital dimension.This is not merely a fitness update; it is a tactical conundrum for Luis Enrique. Should Hakimi fail to recover in time, the PSG boss must choose between a more conservative option at right back or altering his entire defensive shape. Arsenal, conversely, will have spent the week drilling how to exploit that potential weakness. The Gunners' own wide threats, particularly the direct running of Saka and the clever inverted movement of Martinelli, will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a less mobile deputy.But here is the rub for supporters of the north London club. We have seen this narrative before; a key opposition player ruled out, only for a relative unknown to step in and produce a career defining performance. The margin for error in a one off final is wafer thin. While the absence of Hakimi would certainly tilt the balance of power slightly towards Arsenal, it guarantees nothing. Football has a cruel habit of punishing those who count their chickens before they have hatched.What this does offer, however, is a psychological edge. Arteta can now drill his side with a clear plan to target a specific area. The pressure shifts onto PSG's medical staff and their backup options. For Arsenal, the message is simple: focus on your own game, prepare for every scenario, and be ready to pounce when the moment arrives. Squeaky bum time has arrived early in Budapest.
