Arjun Menon
Steven Gerrard has given his honest assessment of Arsenal‘s chances ahead of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, admitting the Gunners will enter the match as underdogs but suggesting that tag could work in their favour.
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Mikel Arteta‘s side secured their place in the final with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. The holders, PSG, edged past Bayern Munich with a 6-5 aggregate victory across two legs, having won the first leg 5-4 before holding on for a 1-1 draw in Munich.
Gerrard: PSG Are Firm Favourites
PSG earned wide praise for their attacking output in the first leg and demonstrated defensive discipline in Munich when it mattered. They also carry the confidence of winning the competition last year. Arsenal, by contrast, have won just one FA Cup under Arteta since his appointment in December 2019.
Speaking after PSG confirmed their place in the final, Liverpool legend Gerrard acknowledged the French side as firm favourites while pointing to the underdog status as a potential advantage for Arsenal.
“Everyone expects PSG to maybe win it,” said Gerrard. “If you look at tonight’s performance, you look at them winning it last year, the players they’ve got, you would have to say that the bookies will probably make PSG favourites.
“Obviously Arsenal have had the easier ride [to the final] if you like, but that’s going to be some final at the end of the month, one for us all to look forward to, two different styles. Both deserve to be there, you have to say that.
“It’s a possibility [that Arsenal win] but they’re going to have to have a bit of luck. They’re going to have to have things go their way on the night because this PSG team, they’re just so good everywhere.
“They’re a team that’s got very few weaknesses. I actually thought their keeper Matvey Safonov going into tonight could be a little bit of an opportunity for Bayern to try and exploit, but his performance tonight was superb.
“Across the board, they were phenomenal. So Arsenal are going to have to be perfect on the night to get it done.”
Premier League Run-In Could Shape Arsenal’s Mentality
Arsenal could yet clinch the Premier League title before the final, and how the domestic season closes out will carry real weight in terms of momentum and belief going into the match.
“I think they’ll be the underdogs, which might suit them,” Gerrard added. “If they can win the Premier League, it’ll give them immense belief and confidence going in. I think they have to use the physicality, the size they have, to make every set piece count.
“They have to take PSG where they don’t want to go and make it uncomfortable for them. But they’ve certainly got a chance.
“I think sometimes in big games, it helps if you’re the hunter, if there’s a little bit less pressure, less expectation on you. I think that might just help Arsenal.
“But Mikel Arteta is going to have to get a game plan and a blueprint to try and win a game against that level of team we’ve just watched.”
The final sets up a sharp contrast in styles: PSG‘s fluid, attack-driven football against Arsenal‘s structured, physical approach. Follow TipsGG for expert previews, odds analysis, and team news as the Champions League final approaches.
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