7M - PSG vs Arsenal: Champions League Final Preview, Prediction, Team News & Lineups

A blockbuster continental showdown is on the horizon as holders Paris Saint-Germain and challengers Arsenal prepare to battle for the 2025-26 Champions League trophy at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday evening.

Luis Enriques side are looking to achieve a historic milestone by becoming the first French club to win consecutive European Cups. Meanwhile, the Gunners travel to Hungary aiming to capture their first-ever Champions League title, exactly twenty years after their initial appearance in the showpiece event ended in heartbreak.

PSG have evolved into a highly cohesive collective following the departure of marquee names, demonstrating a fearsome attacking edge throughout the tournament. Despite an ordinary league phase where they collected 14 points, Les Parisiens truly ignited in the knockout phase by eliminating Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich. The reigning champions lead the competition with 44 goals scored, finding the net in 27 straight games in all competitions, though their domestic campaign ended with a inconsequential 2-1 loss to Paris FC after securing the Ligue 1 title.

Arsenal arrive in Budapest on the back of historic European form under Mikel Arteta. The Premier League champions navigated their path to the final by staying unbeaten for 14 matches in the competition, overcoming Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon, and Atletico Madrid. The Gunners possess the meanest defense in Europe with nine clean sheets this campaign, matching a defensive resilience that saw them win five consecutive matches across all competitions, including a domestic title-clinching 2-1 win against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Team News

PSG manager Enrique rested key players on the final weekend of the domestic season, though Ousmane Dembele was substituted after 27 minutes with a minor calf issue. The forward is expected to shake off the knock to join Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a potent front line. Nuno Mendes is also set to recover from a thigh injury, but fellow full-back Achraf Hakimi is sidelined with a hamstring issue, meaning midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery could step in at right-back. Matvey Safonov is expected to continue in goal over Lucas Chevalier.

Arsenal face their own defensive selection concerns at right-back. Ben White is completely ruled out with a knee injury, while Jurrien Timber remains a significant doubt after missing eight weeks with a severe groin issue. Should Timber miss out, Cristhian Mosquera is the leading candidate to step into the backline alongside William Saliba, Gabriel, and Piero Hincapie. Further up the pitch, Noni Madueke should overcome a hamstring issue, but Bukayo Saka will reclaim his starting spot on the flank alongside Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz or Leandro Trossard.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Safonov; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Gyokeres

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Arsenal (a.e.t)