Arsene Wenger has revealed his prediction for the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG.
Premier League champions Arsenal meet Ligue 1 champions PSG in a mouth-watering European final in Budapest on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lifted their first Premier League trophy since 2004 at the weekend, pipping Manchester City to a long-awaited title.
PSG, meanwhile, wrapped up another French league title many weeks ago and are bidding to retain their Champions League crown.
The countdown is on
Our seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we’ve got everything you need to know. Sign up now.
Wenger believes the final is a ‘fifty-fifty’ game but says he narrowly favours Arsenal to win their first ever Champions League trophy.
‘I want this trophy to go to the Emirates because it’s missing there,’ legendary former Arsenal manager Wenger told UEFA. ‘We touched it before – we were thirteen minutes away from winning it – so you want it to happen this time.
‘I’ve always said that you work in a club to make sure it’s in a good position to continue to progress.
‘Overall, I believe this is a stage where we can grab it. I still believe it’s fifty-fifty in the final, and 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.
‘I think Arsenal have slowly built a history that now allows them to win it. I also feel the time has come for Arsenal to dominate the Premier League consistently.
‘A final is a final. The most important thing is that your team is not inhibited or impressed by the occasion and continues to focus on what it does well.
‘This Arsenal team’s main strength is their ability to keep a clean sheet, and in a final that is very important.
‘Then you have to be efficient. Your moment will come in the game and you have to be ruthless. I’ve played many finals and it’s similar to any cup final. You have to express your qualities and not be fazed by the occasion.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘PSG have huge attacking potential, but Arsenal also have individual quality and are very strong on set pieces, which can have a huge influence in a final.
‘Once you are 1–0 up, everything starts to play to your strengths when you are strong defensively. Arsenal can always be dangerous.’
Asked if he had a message for Arteta as he prepares to lead Arsenal into a first Champions League in 20 years, Wenger added: ‘Do what you usually do and try to be relaxed, even though I know that’s impossible.
‘Instil strong belief in your team. He knows how to do that. He knows the players better than I do. Keep the togetherness the team has shown all season and that will be enough.’
Arsenal legend Paul Merson is also backing Arteta’s side to down the Parisians in Budapest.
‘After winning the Premier League, Arsenal now have an amazing opportunity against Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s final,’ he told Historic Newspapers.
‘The first goal is going to be key. It’s a Champions League final, so it will be a cagey game – I can’t see PSG playing the flamboyant football they showed in the first leg of their semi-final against Bayern Munich.
‘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.
‘A cagey game would suit Arsenal well. If PSG arrive with their gung-ho approach, then Arsenal could be in a bit of trouble, but if they play with a fear of going 1-0 down, then Arsenal are right in the game.
‘I’m going to predict a 1-0 win for Arsenal.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.