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A replica trophy in Budapest ahead of the Champions league final, which takes place on Saturday between Arsenal and PSG. Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
It's almost as if two different worlds of football are colliding in the 2025-26 Champions League final.
On one side are the confident, polished Paris Saint-Germain, looking to defend their title and having long established themselves as a new European powerhouse.
On the other side are a resurgent Arsenal, which have undergone a virtual resurrection under manager Mikel Arteta and now dream of a historic victory.
Who will triumph on Saturday at Budapest's Puskás Arena?
'They were terrifying last year'
PSG, lead by coach Luis Enrique, could become only the second team after Real Madrid to defend the title since the new format was introduced in 1992.
Last year, the Parisians eliminated Arsenal in the semi-finals before thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. The squad led by Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who has recently been struggling with injury, is once again the favourite this year.
"They were terrifying last year, and they still are this year," warned Arsenal defender William Saliba.
This status as favourites is also reflected off the pitch: PSG are using lavish, visually striking content on social media to fuel the excitement ahead of the final.
"We all know what lies ahead: it's the most important game of the season. We have the chance to etch our names even more deeply into the history of the club and even of French football," PSG defender Lucas Hernández said.
'Arsenal was a graveyard'
Arsenal recently experienced one of the biggest emotional highs in club history as they claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years.
"We've raised our standards, but now we have to reach the next level," Arteta demanded. "We have to go there and win the Champions League, that's perfectly clear to us."
A historic first-ever Champions League title would not only be the absolute crowning achievement of an already memorable season, but also further validation for Arteta, who has lead the team to an unbeaten season in the competition so far.
The 44-year-old, who played for the Gunners himself for many years, took over the club in 2019 when it was at its lowest point. Arsenal were stagnant, and the squad resembled an expensive fiasco.
"Arsenal was a graveyard," recalled German defender Shkodran Mustafi, who played for Arsenal until 2021.
Under the motto "trust the process," Arteta has focused on continuous development over the years, prioritizing efficiency over aesthetically pleasing football. Defensive strength and set-piece prowess are among the team's assets.
"Many teams don't give their coaches time. Mikel Arteta had the time," Arsenal legend Thierry Henry told the Sport Bild weekly.
Offensive powerhouse meets defensive fortress
Arsenal reached the final mostly thanks to a solid defence. In 14 games, the English side has conceded just six goals.
"We have the best defence this season. And when you're the best, you want to play against the best," Saliba said.
In contrast, PSG boast an enormous offensive firepower. In the Champions League, the French side has scored 44 goals and could beat Barcelona's record for most goals in one season (45 goals in the 1999-2000 season).
Road to Budapest
The two teams' paths to Budapest were also very different.
Arsenal dominated the group stage with eight wins in eight games. In the knock-out rounds, they defeated Bayer Leverkusen (3–1), Sporting CP (1–0), and Atlético Madrid (2–1).
PSG, on the other hand, took the long way. After finishing 11th in the group stage, the French side first had to face Monaco in the play-offs (5–4) before finally finding their rhythm. This was followed by commanding victories over Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as a dramatic semi-final against Bayern Munich, which they won 6–5 on aggregate.
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