The Puskas Arena clash today pits an "impenetrable wall" against a "relentless attacking machine."

William Saliba (left) and Gabriel Magalhaes celebrate after Arsenal's 1-0 victory over West Ham in round 37 of the Premier League at London Stadium, England on 10/5. Photo: Reuters

Arsenal enters the final fortified by discipline and a robust defense. The club boasts the Champions League's best defensive record this season, having conceded only six goals across 14 matches, an average of 0.43 goals per game.

Notably, Arsenal remains the only team yet to concede a goal from open play in the knockout stages this season. Across six knockout matches, the two goals they allowed both came from set pieces, during victories against Bayer Leverkusen (3-1), Sporting Lisbon (1-0), and Atletico Madrid (2-1).

The central defensive pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba has proven formidable, contributing to goalkeeper David Raya's nine clean sheets. Should Raya prevent PSG from scoring, he will make history as the first goalkeeper to achieve 10 clean sheets in a single Champions League season.

Arsenal stands as the only unbeaten team in this season's Champions League. They trailed only one time, for 43 minutes in the first leg of the round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This impressive consistency often characterizes champions.

Coach Luis Enrique lifts the Champions League trophy for PSG, after the final against Inter at Allianz Stadium, Munich, Germany on the evening of 31/5/2025. Photo: Reuters

In contrast, PSG arrives at the final having scored 44 goals in this Champions League season, the second-highest attacking tally in the competition's history, just one shy of Barca's 45 goals in the 1999-2000 season. Crucially, PSG now functions as a cohesive, high-speed unit, moving beyond reliance on individual brilliance.

While current Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele faces fitness concerns, PSG can rely on the in-form Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian player not only creates impactful moments but also leads the Champions League knockout rounds with 10 goal contributions: seven goals and three assists. He possesses the ability to alter a match's rhythm with a single action.

PSG also holds an 11-match unbeaten streak in the knockout stages and marks their third Champions League final appearance in six years. This frequency underscores their status as a genuine footballing power, rather than a mere phenomenon.

This final marks PSG's third appearance in the Champions League and also Luis Enrique's third as a coach in the competition. The Spanish tactician maintains a perfect record in finals, having led Barca to victory in 2015 and PSG last season. Furthermore, his 64% win rate in the Champions League is the highest among coaches who have managed at least 50 matches in the tournament.

Hong Duy