4 reasons for PSG fans to be optimistic ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal

Ahead of Saturday’s clash against Arsenal in which PSG have the chance to win a second successive Champions League final, let’s have a look at four reasons for PSG supporters to be hopeful that they can bring home another European trophy.

1) PSG have, at this moment, a squad with more European experience than their opponents

Let’s start off with the obvious: PSG have a better record than Arsenal in European competition. The Gunners have historically never won any European trophy whatsoever, having lost the only final they’ve ever reached in the Champions League, against Barcelona all the way back in 2006.

This PSG side have now reached the latter stages of the competition (semi final onwards) in five of their last seven seasons, including three final appearances and a historic victory last season. More significantly, PSG disposed of Arsenal in last season’s competition, beating the Gunners home and away. The Parisians are also used to winning games in different ways, both by playing dominant, attacking, football, and by killing teams on the counterattack after absorbing pressure. This is a technically excellent PSG side that has every reason to go into the final full of confidence, and with winning experience that makes them the favourites on Saturday.

2) Excellent big game record in the Champions League, especially against English sides

Over the last couple of seasons, the only big game that PSG have failed to win is the final of the FIFA Club World Cup against Chelsea. This small blot on PSG’s copybook is significant and Mikel Arteta may take inspiration from Enzo Maresca’s set up with Chelsea in that game on Saturday. However, apart from that, PSG have been fairly impeccable in big games over the last two seasons, putting their reputation as perennial European bottlers firmly to bed. The last couple of seasons have seen two two-legged victories over Liverpool, one over Arsenal, one over Aston Villa, one over Chelsea and one against Bayern Munich: with none of the European elite seemingly able to cope with PSG’s attacking fury.

3) PSG supporters can dominate stadium and stir up an atmosphere to make the game feel like a home fixture

Another reason for PSG supporters to feel optimistic for this final is their loyal supporters, who have been quite brilliant when travelling across Europe over the last few years, out-singing almost every opposition fan base even in away games when they are vastly outnumbered. With Saturday’s game at the Puskas Arena having a 50-50 ticket allocation, the PSG support will be confident in their ability to establish an atmosphere that feels like a home game for the French side.

4) Luis Enrique’s fine record in big finals

Finally, PSG have a world class manager whose record in finals is excellent. Barring the aforementioned loss in the Club World Cup, Luis Enrique has come out on top in all of the other 11 finals in which he has managed, including two Champions League finals. Enrique’s work at PSG has positioned him at the forefront of European football, and his reputation will precede him on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta looking to have his work cut out if he is to compete with the Spanish master.

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