Mikel Arteta revealed Riccardo Calafiori has been struggling with injury ahead of the Champions League final.
The Italian has been named on the bench for Arsenal's showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
Calafiori played 45 minutes on the final day of the Premier League season last weekend against Crystal Palace before being replaced at half-time.
That did not stop Calafiori training when Arsenal began their Champions League final preparations, but was not passed fit enough to start.
Asked by TNT Sports about his team selection, Arteta said: “With Ricky, we sensed an issue with him in the week.”
Calafiori is fit enough to make the bench but it is Piero Hincapie starting at left-back for Arsenal at the Puskas Arena.
On the other side of defence, Cristhian Mosquera starts and is tasked with keeping Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quiet.
Jurrien Timber trained this week and pushed to return to the side after more than two months out, but it was decided starting him would be too big a risk.
The Dutchman has been named among the substitutes and could still have a role to play for the Gunners.
“Jurrien wasn't ready to start,” Arteta added. “He has done really well to even be in the position to get some minutes.”
There was far more certainty around the PSG lineup. Luis Enrique named the same ten outfield players that started last season's 5-0 final win over Inter Milan.
That was the first time PSG lifted the Champions League trophy - Arsenal are hoping this time it is them breaking a European duck.
