Why resolute Arsenal will believe prolific PSG can be beaten in final

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Saka the hero as Arsenal reach first Champions League final in 20 years

"There are moments in the Champions League when somebody has to deliver a magic moment - and he delivered that again," Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid to reach their first major European final in 20 years.

You might be forgiven for thinking the Arsenal manager was referring to Bukayo Saka, whose all-important goal secured their semi-final triumph on Tuesday.

But that "magic moment" on a famous night in north London came from centre-back Gabriel as Atletico were probing for a response to Saka's opener.

William Saliba's poor defensive header had gifted Giuliano Simeone a chance to level as he surged past goalkeeper David Raya with the goal at his mercy.

But an alert Gabriel put in a last-ditch effort, applying just enough pressure to distract Simeone as he got his shot away and save Saliba's blushes.

Arsenal's defensive resoluteness been often criticised, with them being labelled as dull and over-pragmatic, but it has been fundamental throughout their unbeaten run to the final.

However, their biggest test yet will come on 30 May in Budapest against Paris St-Germain, who reached the final with a 6-5 aggregate win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Champions League MOTD analyst Nedum Onuoha, said: "I was so impressed with PSG. Their work-rate was incredible.

"As much as we can be led by the statistics in talking about how PSG have got an incredible attack, you don't get this far in this competition without having something in defence as well.

"While we can see how special their attack is, they have worked very hard to get here as a unit and I think as the season has progressed, they have got better and better."

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Late Bayern pressure not enough as PSG return to Champions League final

Someone who knows all about winning the Champions League is Clarence Seedorf.

The only player to lift the trophy with three different clubs, the former midfielder believes Arsenal's defence could be the difference against free-scoring PSG.

"We have seen a team like Arsenal making the difference this year with so many clean sheets and coming all the way," Seedorf recently told Amazon Prime.

"If I had to point out one team that would be capable of bringing it home because of that capacity, it is actually Arsenal. Tell me one sport you can win without a proper defence. I don't think it exists."

Tuesday's 1-0 win was Arsenal's ninth clean sheet in 14 matches in Europe - they have only conceded two goals in six knockout games - and their 30th overall this season.

They have allowed their opponents an expected goals (xG) of just 0.84 per game, and seven of the past 13 Champions League winners conceded fewer than 1.0 xG per game on average during their successful campaigns. In comparison, PSG's average xGA - expected goals against - in Europe this season is 1.38.

Arsenal have had an easier path to the final, beating Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico, while PSG have overcome Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern to reach the showpiece.

But you can only beat teams in front of you - and Arsenal did so impressively to top the 32-club league phase with eight wins from as many matches, including statement victories over Bayern, Atletico and last season's finalists Inter Milan.

The 14-game unbeaten run they are on is their longest in the competition, overtaking a 13-match streak between March 2005 and April 2006, when under Arsene Wenger they reached the final only to lose to Barcelona.

But it is the newfound defensive maturity that separates the current crop from Arsenal teams of the past.

Onuoha said: "There are definitely reasons for Arsenal to be confident about the final, 100%.

"They know the style PSG have and that if you allow them to overwhelm you, you can really struggle. But Arsenal will have a plan. Obviously they have got the domestic season to figure out as well, but they will definitely have a plan for the Champions League final and they will know they can cause PSG problems as well as keep them out."

"Arsenal have a chance without question - with that defence they have and the goalkeeper, they're brilliant," former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard added: "I know more than anyone else that an underdog can win this final - when we won with Liverpool against AC Milan it was a mismatch.

"Arsenal will play against a high-quality team, against an elite manager. Every player will have to be on the top of their game. They have to use their physicality, size and take PSG where they don't want go - but they certainly have a chance."

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Reigning champions PSG have netted 44 goals in just 16 matches in Europe - with six of them coming in the semi-final against Bayern, who themselves scored 43.

Only Barcelona, who scored 45 times in 16 matches in 1999-00, have more in a single season.

One only has to look at last season's final to appreciate how quickly Luis Enrique's PSG side can blow teams away. Inter Milan conceded just once in their eight league-phase matches, but shipped five in one of the most one-sided European finals.

The Gunners defeated PSG 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the league phase of last season's competition, but the French side prevailed in the semi-finals, running out 3-1 aggregate winners on their way to clinching their maiden title.

Arsenal will now hope to avenge that heartbreak in perfect fashion in Hungary at Puskas Arena.

"The final will be fascinating," Hargreaves said. "PSG will be more attacking than they were against Bayern, but this is a different Arsenal now.

"They went through a little blip the last few weeks. They believe now. They have a chance. They just have to believe."

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How aggressive attack & defence fuelled Arsenal's UCL run

"But they are a very capable team. Arsenal have a real chance - it can be 50/50 game. Arsenal are capable on their day."

Arteta's side are not shy in front of goal, either. They have 67 goals in 35 Premier League matches - with only Manchester City bettering their record in the English top flight with 69 in 34 games.

Of course, having the best defence is not a guarantee of success in the Champions League.

According to Opta, only Bayern Munich - in 2019-20 with a per-game xGA of 0.62 - and Manchester City - in 2022-23 with a per-game xGA of 0.81 - have won the competition while boasting the season's best xGA record since 2013-14.

But what it offers Arsenal and Arteta is a solid platform to build on, against what will be a formidable challenge in the Hungarian capital.

What information do we collect from this quiz?'Arsenal can win just by defending' - your viewsNicholas, Belfast: Am I the only Arsenal fan who thinks we can beat PSG? Watching the game in my retro jersey, booking flights to Budapest.

Jaime, Birmingham: Who says a goalfest is better then good defending? I think Arsenal can win the Champions League just by defending.

Joseph, Southampton: Arsenal have a better defensive record than PSG. Arsenal can defend, the problem is scoring goals.

Ki, London: Arsenal aren't winning. From the start, I said PSG to win. They surely are favourites.

Tim, Chesham: Arsenal can only beat what's in front of them but I can't think of an easier sequence of knockout matches to reach the final.

Josh, France: People as always are very quick to discredit Arsenal. They are in the final for a reason, semis last year, quarters the year before - this isn't some fluke.

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