Arsenal face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final wil a glorious double on the line for Mikel Arteta’s side.
After the jubilant scenes at Selhurst Park for the players, and around Emirates Stadium for the fans, minds are focused on this colossal game.
The Gunners have a tough task ahead with Luis Enrique’s side looking to go back-to-back after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in last year’s final.
And while the Gunners have a steely defence, PSG’s attacking options, including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and perhaps this year’s Champions League player of the season, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, make for a fascinating contest.
Here are the Independent Sport’s predictions for the big match in Budapest:
Who will lift the Champions League?
Miguel Delaney, chief football writer: Arsenal. I think they pose challenges, especially in team structure, that Paris Saint-Germain just haven’t had this season. Physicality could well be key. 1-0.
Richard Jolly, senior football correspondent: Paris Saint-Germain – Arsenal’s record so far, unbeaten and topping the group, means they are entitled to call themselves the best team in the competition so far. But, when PSG peak, they can reach another level, as they did in last year’s final. 2-1.
Jack Rathborn, sports editor: Arsenal. Containing Ousmane Dembele is likely to prove vital to preventing that overwhelming momentum Luis Enrique’s side can produce, as seen by that relentless finish in the first leg of the round of 16 against Chelsea. Confidence will be sky-high after the Premier League title and the way that Mikel Arteta’s side approached the away game against Man City, despite losing, shows they will not be overwhelmed by the occasion. 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Kieran Jackson, senior sports writer: Arsenal. Confidence is high and momentum is with them. If Mikel Arteta stays bold with his team selection (e.g. Lewis-Skelly over Zubimendi), I do see a 1-0 victory in the offing, with one set-piece goal in their favour.
Alex Pattle, sports writer: PSG. I think it will be a closely-contested game, tense in parts and open in others. I’ll go 2-1 to PSG, with Arsenal to trail, equalise, and ultimately suffer late disappointment.
Who will be the key player in Budapest?
MD: Gabriel Magalhaes. I’ve had a gut feeling about him scoring the set-piece winner for some time. He also missed last year’s semi-final
RJ: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Partly because he is brilliant, partly as he has been arguably the best player in the Champions League knockout stages. But with Arsenal waiting to see who will play right-back – maybe Jurrien Timber will start, but he has been out for a couple of months, maybe Cristian Mosquera – that might give an advantage to the Georgian.
JR: Ousmane Dembele. For a Ballon d’Or winner to not be spoken about that much is a surprise, and while Dembele will face one of the meanest defences in recent years, his style and intelligence could crack Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. The French forward’s movement could be vital to PSG’s hopes of breaking down the Gunners, should he drift wide to ensure Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cannot be doubled up, or occupy the pocket of space between the lines, Luis Enrique will hope enough gaps open up to punish Mikel Arteta’s side.
KJ: Declan Rice. If the Arsenal linchpin can dominate the middle of the park – not necessarily in terms of possession, but in terms of breaking up play, storming through the lines and creating chances further forward – the Gunners have a chance.
AP: Kvaratskhelia. I agree with Rich that the uncertainty around Arsenal’s right-back situation might play into this. I have a feeling that Arsenal will succeed in neutralising one of Kvaratskhelia and Dembele but will fail to limit the other. And I’m backing Kvaratskhelia to be the more dangerous player on the night.
Do you have a bold prediction?
MD: Arsenal to quieten this raucous PSG attack. PSG will come out and press like crazy.
RJ: Arsenal will try and score from a set-piece.
JR: Piero Hincapie has been sensational and will lock down Desire Doue to give the French forward a different final taste after his player of the match performance in last season’s 5-0 win over Inter Milan.
KJ: I’ll say right now, this is a boorish take… so Arsenal (and England) fans, look away now! The last time the Champions League final took place before a summer World Cup, an English side (Liverpool) were the underdogs against the defending champions (Real Madrid) in 2018 in Kyiv. Sound familiar?
On that night, Liverpool’s star player – and left-footed right winger – suffered a devastating first-half injury after tangling with Sergio Ramos. Mohamed Salah made the World Cup but was barely fit. Will Bukayo Saka make it through unscathed? Perhaps. But my bold prediction is that either he or Declan Rice will suffer some kind of injury, just to place us all on tenterhooks ahead of this summer’s Finals.
AP: I feel the need to be a little more outlandish than my colleagues… History repeats itself and haunts Arsenal: David Raya, like Jens Lehmann 20 years ago, gets sent off and costs the Gunners the European Cup.
