UCL Final: 5 talking points from PSG vs Arsenal
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final will be remembered as one for the history books as PSG and Arsenal arrive in Budapest carrying enormous expectations.
For PSG, it was an opportunity to defend the European crown they won last season and cement their status among the continent’s elite. Arsenal, meanwhile, are chasing history as they seek to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time, 20 years after their only previous final appearance ended in heartbreak against Barcelona.
The Ligue 1 Champions came into the game as favourites and they showed the world why they earned that right as they started the game with a lot of possession which made is difficult for Arsenal to break PSG down whenever they tried to go forward.
However, we have decided to highlight the five talking pounts from the game
(1) Kai Havertz:
The German international showed why he is a player for big occasions, as he has stepped up in crucial matches for Arsenal on their way to winning the Premier League title. Havertz scored the opening goal for Arsenal in the same way he did for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021.
(2) Ousmane Dembele:
Ousmane Dembélé was one of PSG’s most influential players in the Champions League final against Arsenal, constantly stretching the Gunners’ defence with his movement, pace, and intelligent positioning. The French forward remained a threat throughout the match, finding pockets of space between the lines and linking effectively with PSG’s attacking players. His most significant contribution came in the second half when he calmly converted a penalty to bring PSG level after Arsenal had taken an early lead, helping Luis Enrique’s side stay competitive.
(3) Arsenal’s defence:
The defence, led by players such as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, made it difficult for PSG to break down the Premier League champions apart from the penalty scored for Barcelona. Their solid formation, aggressive pressing, and ability to restrict clear chances have earned them a reputation as having the tournament’s best defence.
(4) PSG ball possession:
The Ligue 1 champions dominated possession, which proved a crucial turning point in the final against Arsenal. Luis Enrique organised his team in a way that made it difficult for Mikel Arteta to implement his preferred style of play heading into the final.
(5) Luis Enrique:
The Spaniard joined the elite group of managers who have won the UEFA Champions League three times, joining the ranks of Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane. He also led PSG to their second consecutive victory in the competition, placing them among the elite clubs to achieve this feat.
Read the Latest Sports News Today and Get Fresh updates as they drop via X and Instagram
