PSG has the biggest game of the season at the end of the month when they play Premier League champions Arsenal in the Champions League final. The French champions may come into this encounter rusty, as they would have gone 13 days without a game. This could hamper them in the final, as Arsenal have a game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta may go strong so his team does not get rusty ahead of the final on Saturday, 30th May. There are different factors that could influence the final at the end of this month. Here at PSG Post, we discuss where the final against Arsenal will be won and lost.
Arsenal's defence vs PSG's attack
The Premier League champions have the best defence in Europe. In the Premier League, David Raya has kept 19 clean sheets in 37 games. The Spaniard tied the most clean sheets by an Arsenal goalkeeper in a Premier League season. The 30-year-old has also kept nine clean sheets in 13 UEFA Champions League games. Les Parisiens know they need to score first, as it will be difficult to score two goals against a team as defensively solid as Arsenal.
The midfield battle
The team that wins the midfield battle may win the match. Both teams have a great midfield. Arsenal can field a midfield three consisting of Declan Rice, Zubimendi, and Martin Odegaard, while the French champions' strongest midfield boasts Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Warren Zaire-Emery. Fabian Ruiz may play in midfield if Achraf Hakimi is not fit for the final. The Moroccan right-back's potential absence would be felt as he is one of the best full-backs in the world. Whichever midfield controls possession better will go a long way to winning the game.
Will Arsenal's attack flatter to deceive
Mikel Arteta's side doesn't play the most expansive football, which is why they are so great defensively but not offensively. If they don't open up against the French champions, then they will struggle to create chances. This is far from ideal for them, as the attacking trio of Bukayo Saka, Victor Gyokeres, and Leandro Trossard have not been ruthless enough. Saka has only scored three goals in 10 European matches, Trossard has one goal in 10 European games, and Gyokeres has five goals in 12 Champions League matches. Despite this, Marquinhos, Pacho, and the fullbacks that Enrique will start should not take this attack for granted, as they are capable of scoring goals.
