Champions League Final Preview: Arsenal Chase Unbeaten Glory As PSG Eye Double

Arsenal will attempt to complete an unbeaten UEFA Champions League campaign when they face holders Paris in Saturday’s final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.

The north London club are one match away from joining an exclusive group of teams to go through an entire European campaign without defeat, but standing in their way are the reigning UEFA Champions League winners, who are chasing back-to-back continental titles.

The final also revives memories of last season’s semi-final meeting between the two clubs. Paris won both legs to progress 3-1 on aggregate before thrashing Inter 5-0 in the final to secure their first European crown.

Despite that success, those remain Paris’ only wins against Arsenal in the competition, with the English side winning once and drawing twice in previous meetings.

Mikel Arteta’s men have built their run on defensive discipline. Arsenal kept nine clean sheets during the competition and conceded only four goals in the league phase. Wins over Atlético Madrid, Bayern München and Inter demonstrated their credentials before they defeated Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting CP and Atlético again in the knockout rounds.

Paris have taken a different route. Luis Enrique’s side have lit up the competition with attacking football, scoring 44 goals so far, just one short of Barcelona’s single-season record set in 1999/2000.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been central to that charge. The Georgian forward has delivered ten goals and six assists during the campaign, including seven goals in the knockout stages.

Paris also swept aside Atalanta, Leverkusen, Barcelona, Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool before overcoming Bayern München in a dramatic semi-final tie.

On the other hand, the final marks another major step in Arteta’s rebuilding project. Recall that Arsenal reached the quarter-finals in 2023/24, the semi-finals in 2024/25 and now stand on the brink of a first European title after losing the 2005/06 final.

Victory for Arsenal would bring the Champions League trophy to north London for the first time. Paris, meanwhile, are aiming to become the first French club to retain the title while strengthening Luis Enrique’s growing legacy.

Paris could receive a timely boost ahead of kick-off. Achraf Hakimi has returned to training after missing recent games with a thigh injury, while Ousmane Dembélé is also back in training following a calf problem.

Arsenal have injury concerns of their own. Noni Madueke is doubtful after suffering a hamstring issue against Crystal Palace, while Jurriën Timber is still fighting to recover from a groin injury. Ben White has already been ruled out with a serious knee injury.

Possible line-ups:

PSG: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

Arsenal: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.