Arsenal are on the brink of an extraordinary double after clinching the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final in Budapest.
Mikel Arteta’s side face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, who are widely regarded as the finest club side in the world right now.
Arsenal enter the showpiece occasion as outsiders, though their preparations could hardly have gone more smoothly ahead of the biggest night in their recent history.
With the league title wrapped up with a game to spare, Arteta was able to rotate his squad for the final Premier League fixture away at Crystal Palace.
Five pundits have now shared their verdicts on who will lift the trophy, with opinion divided but three of the five backing Arsenal to cause an upset.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is backing his old club, telling the UEFA website: “I want this trophy to go to the Emirates because it’s missing there. We were 13 minutes away from winning it, so you want it to happen this time.”
Wenger went further, adding: “I still believe it’s 50-50 in the final. If I had to bet, I would bet on Arsenal more than on Paris Saint-Germain. I feel the club deserves it, this season deserves it and the consistency of the team deserves it.”
Gary Neville is predicting a PSG victory, saying on his podcast: “It’s going to be tough for them because I think that PSG are a different level. Luis Enrique is probably the greatest manager in the world right now.”
Neville acknowledged Arsenal’s qualities, adding: “They’re going in there as underdogs. They’re going to have to scrap and fight and get over the line somehow, if they’re going to win it. It’s a fabulous clash of stars and should be a brilliant watch.”
Former Arsenal winger Paul Merson is predicting a 1-0 Arsenal win, telling Historic Newspapers: “PSG will be worried about going 1-0 down to Arsenal, because they’ll know they’ll be up against it. They’ll be scared of losing the first goal.”
Merson believes a cautious approach from PSG would suit Arsenal, saying: “A cagey game would suit Arsenal well. If they play with a fear of going 1-0 down, then Arsenal are right in the game.”
Ray Parlour shares that cautious optimism, telling 10bet: “Arsenal have got to set their stall out really early, be hard to beat, and try and nick one maybe from a set play, which they’ve been very good at this season.”
Parlour added: “I still think they’ve got an excellent chance over 90 minutes. Two legs might have been a bit different, but over 90 minutes, anything can happen in a final.”
Former Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal believes the title win will give Arteta’s squad a vital psychological boost heading into the final in Budapest.
Monreal told AceOdds: “Winning the Premier League is very important because it gives you a lot of confidence. They go to the final at the best moment of their season. They can make history. I think Arsenal will win 2-1.”
The post Arsene Wenger, Gary Neville And Three More Pundits Make Their Champions League Final Predictions As Arsenal Enter As Underdogs appeared first on Gooner Daily.
