The Champions League final is set as Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal. PSG are aiming to establish a modern dynasty, while Arsenal seek to crown their season as the greatest in their history. The match pits PSG’s youth and attacking style against Arsenal’s physicality and defensive strength. The game will also double as a stylistic referendum on where elite soccer is headed.
Arsenal’s Quest for a Historic Double
If Arsenal triumphs, they will become the fourth English team to achieve the league and European cup double. Only Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City have previously accomplished this feat. The Gunners are hoping to become the 25th club to win the Champions League. Arsenal’s only prior final appearance was in 2006, when they were defeated 2-1 by Barcelona.
PSG’s Title Defence
PSG are attempting to become the second club to win consecutive Champions League titles since 1992, when the tournament was rebranded. Last year, the Parisians defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. They are expected to have at least nine of the same starters for their repeat attempt.
Team News and Key Players
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s departure to Manchester City has paved the way for Matvey Safonov to take over as goalkeeper. Achraf Hakimi is recovering from a thigh injury, making his fitness for the full 90 minutes uncertain. He has not played since PSG’s first-leg semifinal victory against Bayern Munich on April 28. PSG is expected to field the same starting midfield from last year’s final: João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz.
Ousmane Dembélé has returned to training and is declared fit for the final. He’ll lead the PSG front line, alongside forwards Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué flanking him. Despite retaining its core group, PSG remains one of Europe’s youngest teams, with an average age of 24.4. The Parisians’ youth and defensive energy are what enable them to be a pressing monster with the fewest passes allowed per defensive action in Ligue 1 and the second fewest in Europe’s top five domestic leagues.
The Stakes in Paris
- Twenty-four different clubs have won the Champions League (formerly the European Cup) since the tournament began in 1955.
- Arsenal is hoping to become the 25th.
- PSG is attempting to become the second club to win consecutive Champions League titles since the tournament was rebranded in 1992.
- Arsenal’s only other appearance in the final came in 2006, when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
A PSG victory would mark their second consecutive Champions League title. The club has made winning the Champions League its white whale for most of the 21st century.