The Champions League final is upon us to conclude the domestic season, and Arsenal are hoping to add to their Premier League glory and win the competition for the first time ever.
But they have defending champions and the relentless Paris Saint-Germain to get past first. Two different styles, two hopeful sides – but only one can win.
Who will lift the trophy? Daily Mail Sport’s experts have their say…
Oliver Holt
PSG 2-1 Arsenal
It’ll be a lot closer than many people seem to think but I fear PSG may have one too many attacking weapons, even for Arsenal’s redoubtable defence.
I can see a repeat of the scoreline from Arsenal’s previous appearance in the final 20 years ago.
Mikel Arteta is bidding to take Arsenal to Champions League glory on Saturday evening
Ian Ladyman
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (after extra-time)
A 1-1 scoreline at the end of 90 minutes will speak to Arsenal’s resilience and refusal to play PSG at their own expansive game.
Playing Arsenal will not be like playing other English teams. It has been open for PSG against Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle. It will not be like that against Arsenal, even if I think the French champions’ attacking talent and freshness will get them there in the end.
Riath Al-Samarrai
PSG 2-1 Arsenal
It will be close, even factoring for tighter continental officiating on Arsenal’s set-pieces.
But I’d lean to PSG – Rice faces a huge task against the best midfield shelf in the game (Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz) and much will depend on Timber’s fitness in the key battle with Kvaratskhelia, who has been the star of the competition.
Isaan Khan
PSG 1-2 Arsenal (after extra time)
This will be a war of attrition between a team stacked with an lethal frontline and a side with a solid defence.
Arsenal have conceded just six goals and kept nine clean sheets across their 14 Champions League matches this season.
It’s a mightily impressive record, and that defensive solidity is likely to continue on Saturday – even against a Paris Saint-Germain side featuring Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
I can see PSG scoring, but Arsenal striking a goal back before nicking the game in extra time. They have so much confidence after winning a first Premier League title in 22 years, which will spur them on.
Standing in the Gunners’ way is Luis Enrique and a relentless PSG side looking to defend the title they won last year
Kieran Gill
PSG 1-1 Arsenal (Arsenal win on penalties)
While Paris Saint-Germain won last year’s Champions League final by putting five past Inter Milan, I’m not sure they’ll be allowed to turn this one into a goal bonanza, what with Arsenal being so defensively sound.
I see it being a cagey clash. All square after full-time, the same after extra-time, and then to penalties, where Nicolas Jover will have taught the players some psychological tricks to try to give Arsenal an edge.
James Sharpe
PSG 0-1 Arsenal
It’s the old unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. If there is any team that can frustrate, slow and strangle the free-flowing Paris Saint-Germain, it’s Arsenal.
They are masters of it under Mikel Arteta. And they will use every trick in the book to get them there. One-nil, to the Arsenal. Probably from a corner.
Lewis Steele
PSG 1-2 Arsenal
Here is a pitch for a sequel, JK Rowling. Luis Enrique’s band of wizards against Mikel Arteta’s masters of the dark arts. Good versus evil. This is one of the best finals in years, with two genuine heavyweights going head to head unlike previous seasons where there has been a clear favourite.
I do think it is written in the stars for Arsenal, though it might not be an easy-on-the-eye watch.
