Here are the five battles that will decide who lifts the trophy.
Arsenal’s set-piece threat
Mikel Arteta’s side have sometimes struggled to create in open play this season but from dead ball situations they are the most dangerous side in Europe.
Nearly 40 percent of Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning goals came from set pieces – corners, free kicks and throw-ins converted with precision and physicality.
Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is the primary aerial threat and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover is widely considered the best in the business. PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov will be tested heavily – he is arguably the weakest link in an otherwise formidable defensive structure.
Luis Enrique is under no illusions. “People may say Arsenal don’t score team goals, but who cares about that? Ask any Arsenal fan and I’m sure they’re delighted,” the PSG coach said.
PSG’s left flank
The most dangerous attacking corridor in European football this season runs down PSG’s left side. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been arguably the competition’s outstanding player, scoring 10 goals across the campaign.
Behind him, left-back Nuno Mendes is one of the most dynamic full-backs in the world going forward.
Arsenal are boosted by Jurrien Timber’s return from a groin injury that kept him out for two and a half months – but Arteta faces a difficult decision. Does he throw Timber straight into the starting lineup or does he deploy centre-back Cristhian Mosquera at right-back?
Declan Rice has covered the position in Timber’s absence but his presence will be vital in the centre of the pitch against Vitinha.
The fatigue factor
Arsenal have played their key players relentlessly all season. Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya have all exceeded 4,000 minutes across all competitions. Arteta has stayed loyal to a core group and refuses to use tiredness as a reason for underperformance.
“That’s the context and that’s the scenario and we have to embrace it,” said the Arsenal manager.
PSG arrive in a significantly fresher condition. Luis Enrique has rotated extensively in Ligue 1 where the title race offered little pressure. Only Willian Pacho, Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery have exceeded 3,000 minutes this season. The physical difference in the closing stages of a tight final could prove decisive.
Clean sheet machine vs goal machine
The statistics frame Saturday’s contest perfectly. Arsenal have conceded just six goals in the entire Champions League campaign, remaining unbeaten throughout.
David Raya has kept nine clean sheets – matching the all-time record for a single campaign. Gabriel and William Saliba form arguably the most formidable centre-back partnership in European football.
PSG, meanwhile, have scored 44 goals in the competition – one short of the all-time record set by Barcelona in 1999-2000. Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Doue are the primary threats. Something has to give.
Luis Enrique’s tactical surprise
The PSG coach is not predictable. Against Bayern in the semi-final he played an open, attacking first leg – winning 5-4 – before completely changing his approach in Munich, sitting deeper and securing a 1-1 draw. He has already signalled that Arsenal will require a different tactical approach entirely.
“We’ll have to adapt to play and defend in a different way compared to what we usually do if we want to get the better of them,” said Luis Enrique.
Arteta, meanwhile, has done his homework. “We have analysed everything they do in every phase. We’ve prepared the possible scenarios.”
Two of Europe’s finest tactical minds. One trophy. Saturday evening in Budapest.
– AFP
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
