Arsenal are one victory away from reaching the summit of European football for the first time. After ending a 22-year drought to claim their 14th English top-flight crown—a tally bettered only by Liverpool and Manchester United—Mikel Arteta’s side can now secure the Champions League and complete an historic double. Victory against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest would write a new chapter of immortality for a club that has long craved continental glory.
Arsenal’s European cabinet is sparsely furnished. Their only major UEFA trophy is the 1993/94 Cup Winners’ Cup, supplemented by the 1970/71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, both predecessors to modern competitions. While they have twice reached Europa League finals and now a second Champions League final, the big-eared trophy has remained elusive. A triumph this weekend would elevate them into the pantheon of European champions and complete the transformation under Arteta.
The sense of opportunity was palpable in Josh Kroenke’s words: “Champions of England sounds pretty good and champions of Europe could sound even better, especially with the double tied to it.” Arteta, never one to downplay ambition, struck a defiant tone at the pre-match press conference, declaring his team were in the Hungarian capital “to take the trophy away from PSG.” Such confidence stems from seven years of painstaking rebuilding.
When Arteta took over in December 2019, Arsenal were in freefall domestically and absent from the Champions League—a competition they would not grace for another three seasons. Even then, a barren run saw them miss European qualification entirely in one campaign. The progression since has been stunning: a return to the Champions League in 2023/24, a quarter-final finish that season, a semi-final the next, and now the final itself. Arteta has instilled a winning mentality and tactical sophistication that has redefined the club.
Last season’s semi-final defeat to these same opponents still stings but offers encouragement. Arsenal lost the tie 3-1 on aggregate, yet generated chances worth 4.54 expected goals versus PSG’s 2.90. Profligate finishing and a Gianluigi Donnarumma masterclass—the Italian goalkeeper has since departed—denied them a spot in the final. Arteta reflected that the outcome might have been different with sharper execution, and he now welcomes back key figures like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhães who missed those games.
PSG arrive as defending champions, having thrashed Inter 5-0 in last year’s final. Luis Enrique’s outfit blends flair and menace, but their semi-final against Bayern Munich revealed defensive cracks. The German champions scored five times across two legs, suggesting that Arsenal’s dynamic attackers—Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard—could cause significant damage. Arteta will likely look to replicate Bayern’s aggressive pressing and transitional speed.
The Gunners’ squad is deeper and more battle-hardened than 12 months ago. The addition of Declan Rice and the maturity of Martin Ødegaard have given them control in midfield, while the centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel provides a formidable foundation. Saka, serving as vice-captain, spoke of the group’s hunger: “We have enough fire and can write history by winning it for the first time.” That sentiment resonates through a team determined to seize this moment.
PSG’s camp offered respect but no complacency. Luis Enrique praised Arsenal’s domestic achievement, stating they “deserve” their Premier League crown and insisted there is no clear favourite. Captain Marquinhos acknowledged the threat posed by Arteta’s system, remarking that “the devil is in the details”—a nod to the fine margins that decide such occasions. Both managers know one moment of brilliance or one lapse in concentration will shape the narrative.
Tactically, the contest is a chess match. Arsenal’s shape out of possession—often a 4-4-2 block—will need to stifle PSG’s creative fulcrum, likely Ousmane Dembélé, while springing counter-attacks through Saka and Martinelli. PSG’s full-backs usually push high, leaving spaces that Arsenal’s pace can exploit. Arteta’s in-game adjustments, a hallmark of his tenure, will be crucial if the match hangs in the balance.
For Arsenal, the implications extend beyond a single night. A Champions League victory would enshrine Arteta among the club’s coaching greats and validate the long-term project supported by the Kroenke family. It would also shift the narrative from domestic resurgence to European dominance. For PSG, retaining the title would confirm their status as the continent’s new powerhouse after years of investment finally bore fruit last season.
The footballing world will watch Budapest as these two aspirants collide. Arsenal’s wait for a European Cup spans their entire history; PSG waited just as long before breaking through last year. Now, Arteta’s men stand 90 minutes from immortality, with the chance to bring the double to north London and etch their names alongside the club’s legends of old.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.