European football’s biggest prize is on the line on Saturday night as Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal collide in the Champions League final in Budapest.
PSG arrive as defending champions, looking to cement themselves in the history books among Europe’s elite as back-to-back champions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are chasing their first-ever European trophy and cap off a remarkable season under Mikel Arteta, which saw the Premier League trophy return to the Emirates after 22 years.
Luis Enrique’s side boasts one of the most explosive attacking threats in the competition, whilst the Gunners carry the best defensive record coming into the final.
For PSG, victory would cement their legacy as one of Europe’s greatest whislt for Arsenal, this would culminate a story more than two decades in the making.
How did PSG and Arsenal reach the final?
PSG didn’t set the world ablaze during the league phase of the tournament, only managing to qualify for the knockouts via the playoffs.
They beat fellow Ligue 1 outfit Monaco 5-4 on aggregate in that play-off round to set up a round of 16 clash against Chelsea, who they blew away 8-2 over two legs.
They then breezed past Liverpool in the Quarters to set up what turned out to be a game of the season first leg against Bayern Munich. That tie would end 6-5 after two legs, booking the French side’s place in Budapest.
Arsenal had a much easier time of it in the league phase, winning all eight of their games, giving them automatic qualification to the round of 16, where they beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 across two legs.
They then ground out results against Sporting Lisbon and Atletico Madrid in low-scoring encounters to set up a showdown in the final against Luis Enrique and his attacking PSG side.
What are the best picks for PSG vs Arsenal?
PSG to lift the trophy
This final looks set to be PSG’s endless firepower against Arsenal’s resolute defence, and for me it’s the former that will get the better here.
Has Arsenal’s defence been excellent all tournament? Yes. But who have they played? No one with an ounce of the attacking threat that this PSG side has.
The current champions have run riot over just about everyone they have come up against, and whilst I’m not convinced they will blow Arsenal away here, I do think they get the better of them in this one.
Over 2.5 goals.
Some of you will be thinking this is a banker, and others will be questioning my logic here – and that’s fair.
This final is undoubtedly teed up for the classic attack vs defence, and for me, one is significantly stronger than the other.
PSG can run the score up on pretty much any team in Europe – and they have done so. If they get an early goal, Arsenal will be forced out, and that will only open the game up even more for Luis Enrique’s men to exploit.
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score or assist
The Georgian winger has been breathtaking all tournament for PSG, whether he’s beating his man and putting one in the top corner, or putting it on a plate for the likes of Ousmane Dembele.
If PSG are to break through the stubborn Arsenal backline, then Khvicha is sure to play a key part in doing so.
With 10 goals and 6 assists already in this year’s tournament, I’m backing to add to either tally here.
Where can I watch PSG vs Arsenal?
The UEFA Champions League Final between PSG and Arsenal takes place on Saturday, May 30.
Kick off is at 17:00 BST and will take place in Budapest at the Puskas Arena.
Viewers in the UK can watch the final live on TNT Sports, with streaming available through HBO Max.
In the United States, viewers can watch the final live on CBS and stream the match through Paramount+.
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What have the managers said?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his side are embracing the occasion rather than feeling overwhelmed by it: “If we could do it, it would be unreal. We’re living a dream, winning the Premier League and being in a Champions League final.”
Arteta has also spoken about using the momentum from Arsenal’s title-winning campaign as motivation heading into the biggest match in the club’s modern history: “We need that energy to flow, and going against that will be a big mistake.”
PSG boss Luis Enrique has been full of praise for Arsenal in the build-up to the final, describing them as one of the most complete teams in world football: “Without the ball, they are the best team in the world.”
The Spaniard also highlighted the quality both teams bring to the occasion and expects a memorable final in Budapest: “We can look forward to a truly great final.”
Despite respecting Arsenal’s strengths, Enrique has stressed his confidence in PSG’s preparation and mentality heading into another Champions League final: “We are better prepared than last year.”
What is PSG’s predicted team?
Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery – Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele.
Injured: Chevalier, Ndjantou
What is Arsenal’s predicted team?
Raya – Mosquera, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori – Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Eze, Trossard – Gyokores.
Injured: Norgaard, White
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