HISTORY will be made in the UEFA Champions League final today. It will either be Arsenal winning it for the first time ever, or Paris St Germain (PSG)becoming only the second club to retain the title.
Arsenal, the newly crowned Premier League champions, should be extra motivated as they have a score to settle with PSG.
The Gunners were knocked out of the elite European competition by the Ligue 1 champions in last year’s semi-finals, 3-1 on aggregate.
But unlike last year, Mikel Arteta’s team has been a much-improved side, unbeaten with 11 wins and three draws this season to reach the final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
They have been defensively solid this season, conceding only six goals in 14 matches. In the Premier League, the north London side also boast the best defensive record, allowing only 27 goals all term.
The central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes has proven to be the Gunners’ bedrock and should be up for the test against PSG.
Often protected by the impressive and most influential Declan Rice, as well as the pressing from those up front, the Gunners are proficient in breaking up opposition attacks with an often-unmatched efficiency.
Off the ball, Arsenal form a narrow defensive shape to stifle passes through the middle.
Despite criticisms about being tactically one dimensional and over-reliant on set pieces, Arsenal’s method has worked in their favour tellingly on numerous occasions.
They hold the record for the highest number of set piece goals in the Premier League – 25, including 19 from corners.
In open play, Arsenal are well-organised, relying on teamwork rather than individual brilliance.
Ultimately, it is all about getting the job done, however it is achieved.
For the starting lineup, David Raya should again be in goal, with Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera likely forming the back four.
In midfield, it should be Rice, Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard making up the front-three.
As for PSG, Luis Enrique should have Ousmane Dembele, Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho back in the starting lineup.
All three have had injury concerns but were reportedly back in training this week.
Matvey Safonov should be in goal, with Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes and Senny Mayulu in front of him.
The midfield should consist of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, while Dembele leads the attack with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue on the flanks.
Enrique will be aware of Arsenal’s set-piece threat and will surely have been working overtime to address it, given PSG’s struggles defending dead ball situations.
Statistics show that about 38% of the goals they conceded this season came from set pieces, and Safonov has often looked uncomfortable dealing with high balls into the six yard box.
The Russian keeper is expected to face a torrid time, especially with Arsenal players crowding and hustling in his area.
Enrique is also known for deploying a high defensive line, which could play into Arsenal’s hands.
That said, PSG’s defence, led by Marquinhos, remains strong in open play, pressing collectively to disrupt opposing attackers.
Their midfield trio of Vitinha, Ruiz and Neves has been touted as one of the best in the world, balancing precise passing, high energy, smart defending and impressive press resistance.
In attack, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Doue are terrifyingly quick and nimble. Kvaratskhelia has 10 Champions League goals, while Dembele has seven and Doue five.
While PSG are the bookmakers’ favourites to win the title back-to-back, Arsenal are not far behind.
The Parisians do have the crucial experience of handling the pressure of a European final, but with the Gunners’ stout defence against the rapid French attack, this could truly be a battle of the “irresistible force” versus the “immovable object”.
It could well go down to the wire, decided by the slightest tactical detail...or blunder.
The battle in midfield could prove crucial in determining just which side stands on the podium at the end.
