Luis Enrique faces a big dilemma ahead of the PSG-Arsenal Champions League final. Will he start Warren Zaïre-Emery or Fabian Ruiz alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves?
Luis Enrique's starting lineup for the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal is shrouded in uncertainty. The Spanish coach is hesitating between Warren Zaïre-Emery and Fabian Ruiz.
Who will be the third midfielder for PSG alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves on Saturday night in Budapest? There is doubt in Luis Enrique's mind. The most-used player of the season, Zaïre-Emery shone in 2025-26, whether as a right-back during Achraf Hakimi's absence or in midfield when Ruiz was unavailable.
It is therefore not surprising to learn from journalist Marc Mechenoua that doubt is indeed present in Luis Enrique's mind less than 24 hours before the Champions League final.
During recent tactical drills, the PSG coach alternated Zaïre-Emery and Ruiz in the starting team, one after the other, maintaining suspense and competition within his group. The rest of his starting lineup, however, is without doubt. In the offensive sector, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were paired together in almost every tactical drill.
On the defensive side, no surprises are expected either. Willian Pacho and Marquinhos will be paired with Hakimi on the right and Nuno Mendes on the left, as they were a year ago against Inter Milan.
PSG's predicted lineup vs. Arsenal: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Ruiz (or Zaïre-Emery); Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele.
Ruiz was vital for Luis Enrique last season, and this campaign, he has not been unimportant; when he has been healthy, he has been key to relieving Nuno Mendes of defensive responsibility.
However, Zaïre-Emery stepped up in a way that is impossible to ignore. Whether at right back, midfielder, or even left back, the PSG academy graduate always rose to the occasion.
In fact, this season, Zaïre-Emery is the player with the most minutes played in Ligue 1 at PSG (2,453). He is followed by Illia Zabarnyi (2,387) and Vitinha (2,121).
This season, the young Frenchman has played 60 matches across Ligue 1, the Trophee des Champions, the Coupe de France, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He has recorded three goals and five assists.
It will be interesting to see Luis Enrique's choice for what will undoubtedly be the most important match of the season in European club soccer.
Leave your opinion in the comments below. Who do you think should start, Fabian or Warren? Also, share your prediction. We will be reading and responding.
