Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 20 years, and they’ll face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal will face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final later this month. The Gunners have the chance to etch their names into the history books and lift the trophy for the very first time when they take centre stage at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.
The north Londoners, who stumbled at the last hurdle back in 2006, enjoyed a spectacular group phase campaign, finishing top of the table. Arsenal won all eight games and sealed automatic qualification to the knockout stages.
After a shaky start to the round of 16, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayer Leverkusen on the road, the Gunners shifted back into gear at the Emirates Stadium and cruised into the quarter-finals.
Arsenal then secured a place in the semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting Clube de Portugal, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the tie in the dying embers of the first leg. Mikel Arteta’s side were put through their paces for the first time in the knockout stages when they locked horns with Atletico Madrid.
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The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital before grinding out a victory on home soil, courtesy of Bukayo Saka. Later this month, when they face either Bayern or PSG, Arsenal have the chance to become the 25th club to lift the trophy, 20 years on from the heartbreaking defeat to Barcelona in Paris.
So, with that being said, journalists at football.london have debated which team Arsenal would rather face in the Champions League final.
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John Cross
Despite being unbeaten in this season’s Champions League and finishing top of the league phase, there is a common belief Arsenal start as underdogs.
Having said all that, I do think Bayern Munich would be better opponents for Arsenal. Oh, did I mention? Arsenal have beaten Bayern already this season.
Paris Saint Germain are, in my opinion, the best team in Europe. They press, have incredible energy and amazing players. They beat Arsenal in last year’s semi final and probably have revenge in their sights.
But I feel Bayern are more beatable, Arsenal should have confidence they can beat either team but it just feels as if they can do it in Budapest on May 30.
It’s a one-off game, Arsenal should feel they can do it and the sense of history will be a huge driving force.
But of course we know the headline everyone would fear with Bayern… Harry Kane! That’s written in the stars.
Ryan Taylor
I think everybody knows who Bukayo Saka was referencing when he said there is one team he would prefer to play. It’s Bayern Munich.The Gunners thumped Vincent Kompany’s men 3-1 at the Emirates in the group phase and while they were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern in the quarter-finals back in 2024, they’ve come a long way since then.PSG are red-hot and can take any team apart because of their attacking quality. I still think Arsenal would have a chance of beating them in a one-off game, just as they did in last season’s league phase at the Emirates.But everyone knows PSG have come a long way since then too. The chance to deny Harry Kane glory in Budapest would also excite the club’s fanbase.
Tom Canton
Honestly, I don’t care. I’ve been asked this question several times and I cannot help but look at the arguments of both and see plenty of merit in either. I am just glad Arsenal have made it, that they have reached the final and will play one of these two great sides.
They have beaten both teams in the last two seasons. Perhaps the recency of beating Bayern Munich, having that fear in them which PSG overcame last season, makes me lean slightly toward the German club. But equally, the chance to get the club’s own back after losing in that semi-final would also be sweet.
The pure fear of allowing Harry Kane to win a Champions League at Arsenal’s loss is a scary thought too. But the opportunity to snatch that away from him and see the camera pan to his sad face would be something all supporters would enjoy.
Yes, I think I have convinced myself that Bayern is the right choice. Plus, Luis Enrique’s experience at this level is almost unparalleled in the game, whereas Vincent Kompany, like Mikel Arteta, is also new to this particular arena.
Jake Stokes
As much as I’ve enjoyed watching Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique over the last couple of years, I think it’d be great to see Bayern Munich lock horns with Arsenal in the final of the UEFA Champions League.
Although the Gunners will want to avenge their defeat to the French giants in the semi-final last season, there will be a lot more on the line if they face the Bundesliga champions.
Arsenal have the chance to rub the salt in the wounds of Harry Kane, and by default Tottenham Hotspur – as well as every other English club that has been rooting against them for that matter!
Equally, the Lilywhites legend would have the chance to crown himself a European champion in front of his north London rivals. It’ll be a great game regardless of which team meets Arsenal in the final, but I’d love it if there were some needle in Budapest…
