CHAMPIONS LEAGUE V EUROPA LEAGUE: PSG FACE ASTON VILLA IN SUPER CUP

The UEFA Super Cup marks the beginning of competitive football for the 2026/27 season

It's champions v champions in the UEFA Super Cup
AFP

Dubai: Paris Saint-Germain will aim to retain their UEFA Super Cup title as they face Aston Villa on Wednesday 12 August at Stadion Salzburg in the traditional opening clash of the European season.

After beating Tottenham on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, the French champions secured their place in this year’s final by winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, beating Arsenal in the final.

Now, having gone back-to-back in Europe’s premier club competition, they find themselves facing another north London side in the Super Cup final.

PSG won the 2025 Champions League while Villa won the Europa League
AFP

Aston Villa on the other hand, are looking for a second trophy in quick succession after their 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final ended a 30-year trophy drought.

How to watch

For fans in the UAE, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa will be available live on beIN Sports, which holds the exclusive rights to UEFA’s club competitions across the MENA region through 2027.

Fans can watch via the beIN Sports TV channels or stream the match through the beIN SPORTS CONNECT service, with the exact channel listed on beIN’s TV guide.

PSG team news

Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Hernandez were handed extended time off after the World Cup, meaning they missed both of PSG’s pre-season friendlies.

The group has now returned to first-team training this week and travelled with the squad to Austria, giving Luis Enrique a full complement of players to choose from.

PSG's World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz will be available for selection
AFP-CARL RECINE

It remains to be seen whether Enrique will hand the returning players immediate starts against Aston Villa or opt to introduce them from the bench.

Captain Marquinhos is expected to feature from the outset alongside Portugal trio Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, all of whom played 30 minutes in the recent friendly against Manchester United. Fellow World Cup stars Willian Pacho and Ibrahim Mbaye are also likely to start after featuring in both of PSG’s pre-season matches.

Lucas Digne could make his second PSG debut against his former side after the French club activated the £8.5million release clause in his Villa contract.

Aston Villa team news

World Cup medal winners Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins were all given extended time off and did not feature during Villa’s pre-season campaign.

Should the trio not be ready to start against PSG, Marco Bizot will remain in goal, with Victor Lindelof partnering Pau Torres in defence and Tammy Abraham leading the attack.

Villa will definitely be without Amadou Onana, who suffered an ACL injury to his right knee while representing Belgium at the World Cup. John McGinn is also a doubt after landing awkwardly on his left knee during the pre-season win over BG Pathum United.

Amadou Onana will be out for several months after suffering an ACL injury in the World Cup
AFP-DAVID RAMOS

Record signing Johan Manzambi remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained with Switzerland at the World Cup. However, new arrivals Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes are both expected to make their competitive Villa debuts against PSG.

Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, is set to take over as Villa’s first-choice left-back following Digne’s departure, having struggled for regular starts last season.

- Robert Ilsley

ESTIMATED CLUB EARNINGS | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2025/26

 

LUIS ENRIQUE REACTS TO HONESTLY TO ARSENAL TACTICS AFTER PSG WIN BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

 

PSG manager Luis Enrique, Champions League trophy

Luis Enrique gave his honest assessment of Arsenal’s tactics in their Champions League final defeat to PSG, while one reporter claims it’s now ‘inevitable’ the Gunners break their UCL duck.

Arsenal never really laid a glove on PSG in more than 120 minutes in Budapest. Thankfully, their crop of world class defenders ensured the Parisians struggled to craft much by the way of clear-cut chances either.

The Gunners defended manfully throughout the contest and in truth, it was the rearguard that gave Arsenal a sniff of glory by forcing a shoot-out.

Ultimately, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert after failing to hit the target altogether with their spot-kicks.

It ensured Arsenal’s historic season that brought their first league title in over two decades ended on the sourest of notes, though one person who wasn’t prepared to stick the boot in was PSG boss Enrique.

Speaking post-match, the Spanish manager summed up his emotions when stating: “I’m mixed. Excitement, fatigue.

“Everything but this is the best moment of the season. We are still champions, two in a row, it’s amazing.

“We deserved that. Our supporters, during the whole season. We deserve to be in the final.”

Luis Enrique reacts to Arsenal tactics

On Arsenal’s style of play that centres on disruption, defending deep and in numbers, and is generally reliant on set piece goals, Enrique admitted his PSG side were suitably challenged.

“It was very tough and difficult,” he admitted. “Congratulations to Arsenal, it was very tough.

“They played great. It’s normal. They try to take the match into phases they are strong. We tried to control the ball and press. We have won the title.”

Enrique has now won back-to-back UCLs and has taken his tally in this competition to three after previously winning the tournament with Barcelona back in 2015.

But while some managers – a certain special one, perhaps? – might get carried away after this accomplishment, Enrique insisted he’s got no interest in blowing his own trumpet.

Asked whether he should now be considered a legendary manager, Enrique replied: “Legend? I’m not interested in that.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, will win the Champions League with this current crop of players and Mikel Arteta at the helm.

That’s according to French journalist, Julien Laurens, who declared during the post-match fallout: “It is cruel for Arsenal fans, but it is inevitable that this club win the Champions League.”

He added: “Mikel Arteta will see the positives because that is the kind of guy he is.

“Arsenal are getting closer and closer. This team adds a bit more attacking power and desire. This team can have everything. It will hurt tonight.”

- Steve Pearson

MIKEL ARTETA THINKS ARSENAL WERE ROBBED IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

 

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta 

Mikel Arteta couldn’t understand why the incident involving Nuno Mendes and Noni Madueke didn’t result in Arsenal being awarded what could and probably would have been a decisive penalty in the Champions League final defeat to PSG.

Arsenal fell to PSG in the penalty shoot-out, though in Arteta’s mind, it was the penalty in normal time and another that wasn’t given that are the real talking points from Budapest.

Arsenal’s rearguard across the entire 120-plus minutes were only breached from the penalty spot. Cristhian Mosquera bundled over Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box to tee up Ousmane Dembele to cancel out Kai Havertz’s opener during regular time.

However, the Gunners and Arteta believed they should have been awarded a penalty of their own when substitute Madueke took a tumble under pressure from Mendes in the first period of extra time. The incident can be viewed here.

Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, Arteta couldn’t wrap his head around why different decisions were made for what he perceived to be two very similar incidents.

Mikel Arteta angered by non-awarding of penalty

He bemoaned: “I watch it back and [Mendes on Madueke] could easily be a penalty. Especially when we see the penalty they gave me this year in the competition.

“This season, the referee made a decision, and he made a different one with Cristhian Mosquera and that is an important one.”

During his post-match press conference, Arteta again took umbrage at the perceived difference in officiating.

He said: “When something had to go our way, especially in the boxes with the penalty that was given against Mosquera and then no penalty to Madueke, those didn’t go for us.”

Speaking about the game in general, the Spaniard told TNT Sports: “Yes, it is very tough to accept when you are so consistent in the competition all the way to the final and in the end you lose the trophy on penalty kicks, so it is a difficult one.”

He later added: “We haven’t done it for 22 years [reached the Champions League final], so imagine the second time in our history that we have done it, and we need to recognise the season we had, but at the moment nobody is going to take the pain away from you.”

On PSG, who have now gone back-to-back in the UCL, Arteta said: “They are a superb team and I congratulate them. Individual quality they have, the manner they are coached, they are a top, top team.

“You have to go through the emotions and if you’re in pain, then go through the pain.

"Think you could do something else, then learn from it. Reflect on that and show the ambition that we want to have again.”

On what message he has for his players, Arteta concluded: “That I am so proud of them, with this season we have had under the circumstances. Internally, we know what we have been through.

"It is just a privilege to manage this group of players and this team the way they carry this badge and how much they put into it. We got a big one [Premier League] and missed out on the biggest one.”

- Steve Pearson

SOCCER WORLD REACTS TO PSG WINNING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL AGAINST ARSENAL

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Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title on Saturday, defeating Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout after the final finished 1-1 following extra time at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

The result made PSG only the second club to win back-to-back Champions League titles since the competition was reformatted in 1992, joining Real Madrid’s run of three consecutive crowns between 2016 and 2018. The French champions also became the 10th club in European Cup history to win consecutive titles.

Arsenal appeared on course for a historic victory after Kai Havertz gave the Premier League champions an early lead in the sixth minute. However, PSG responded in the second half when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled inside the box. The match eventually went to penalties, where Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive kick as PSG secured a 4-3 shootout victory.

Emmanuel Macron, Rio Ferdinand and Fans React to PSG’s Historic Triumph

The victory quickly sparked reactions from across the soccer world.

French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated PSG’s achievement on social media.

“A new star shines over Paris! Bravo to PSG for making all of Europe dream. France is proud,” Macron wrote.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also praised the French club and manager Luis Enrique after the final.

“Back to Back Champions Leagues… Congrats to PSG! Luis Enrique absolute genius 🏆,” Ferdinand posted.

He also acknowledged Arsenal’s effort during their domestic and European campaign.

“Shout out to Arsenal, brilliant season, changed the narrative. Gabriel an absolute rock & no shame when it comes down to penalties! Respect 👊🏽,” Ferdinand added.

Supporters also flooded social media following the final whistle.

One fan wrote: “Let’s go!!! Great games intense till the end!! Congrats.”

Another described the dramatic finish by saying: “Ice in their veins. PSG hold their nerve to defend their Champions League crown, while Arsenal endure absolute heartbreak at the death. What an unbelievable night in Budapest! 🏆🔥”

A third supporter praised the champions’ accomplishment.

“Well deserved. No team should win a champions league final through the back door. Arsenal almost succeeded 😅.”

Another fan highlighted PSG’s journey over the past two seasons.

“A tremendous achievement for PSG, who let their star players leave, won the hearts of fans around the world and came out on top. Two years in a row, and today was a tough one, because they were up against a defensive wall.”

ESPN Notes PSG’s Place in Champions League History

Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish head coach Luis Enrique touches the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final. Getty

The final result also added another chapter to PSG’s growing European legacy.

ESPN Stats & Information highlighted the significance of the achievement shortly after the match concluded.

“PSG are back-to-back UEFA Champions League champions 🏆🏆,” ESPN posted.

The network added: “They become just the 2nd club to repeat as UCL winners, joining Real Madrid, who won three straight from 2016-18.”

ESPN also noted the broader historical context.

“Overall, PSG are the 10th club in European Cup history (since 1955-56) to win consecutive titles.”

The final itself was tightly contested.

Arsenal struck first through Havertz after a defensive mistake allowed the German forward to break through and finish from a narrow angle.

PSG pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half and finally found one when Dembélé converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Kvaratskhelia.

Neither side could find a winner in extra time, sending the Champions League final to penalties for the first time since Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in a shootout 10 years ago.

PSG ultimately held their nerve from the spot, completing another successful European campaign and becoming the first club since Real Madrid to retain the Champions League trophy.

For Arsenal, the search for a first European Cup title continues despite winning the Premier League and reaching their first Champions League final in two decades.

- Debayan Biswas

LUIS ENRIQUE SENDS MIKEL ARTETA MESSAGE BEFORE PSG V ARSENAL FINAL SHOWDOWN

Champions League showpiece sees old friends and team-mates go head to head once again on biggest stage

Reuters

Luis Enrique is expecting a “difficult” test when Paris Saint-Germain come up against Arsenal in the Champions League final as he prepares to lock horns with long-time friend Mikel Arteta once more.

Holders PSG reached the showpiece fixture in European club football for the second season in a row on Wednesday night, with a 1-1 second-leg draw away against Bayern Munich in Germany enough to seal a 6-5 aggregate victory in the semi-finals having initially edged a nine-goal thriller 5-4 on home soil last week.

It set up a final showdown with Arsenal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30, with the Gunners having secured their progress 24 hours earlier when Bukayo Saka’s late first-half goal sank Atletico Madrid 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate following a controversial 1-1 first-leg draw in Spain.

It will be a rematch of last season’s semi-final tie, which PSG won 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 away win in north London was followed by a tense 2-1 home triumph, before the Ligue 1 giants then lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in Munich.

The game also sees Enrique once more go up against Arteta, a former team-mate at Barcelona with whom he has stayed in touch ever since their paths first crossed at the Camp Nou in the late 1990s.

Arteta spoke at length before last season’s Champions League semi-finals on his great admiration for Enrique and the support he showed him when he was trying to break through as a youngster at Barca, also hailing his coaching exploits and character, calling his fellow Spaniard an “unbelievable personality”.

Arteta said then: “For me, he’s one of the best coaches in the world and someone who helped me a huge amount. I have the utmost respect both for how he is as a person and his way of working.”

Such warm respect is clearly reciprocated by Enrique, who praised the job Arteta has done at Arsenal as he predicted a tough challenge in the final - but expressed his confidence in PSG’s attacking style to get the job done.

“I appreciate Mikelito Arteta!” Enrique said after PSG squeezed past Bayern, per Fabrizio Romano. “We used to be team-mates when we were kids, he did a great job at Arsenal.

“It will be a difficult, hard game but we believe in our football style.”

- GEORGE FLOOD

VINCENT KOMOANY FUMES AT 'RIDICULOUS' HANDBALL CALLS THAT LED TO BAYERN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

Imago/Ulmer/Teamforo

Vincent Kompany unleashed a blistering attack on the officiating after Bayern Munich’s Champions League dreams were ended by Paris Saint-Germain. The Belgian tactician watched his side fall to a 6-5 aggregate defeat at the Allianz Arena, but the post-match talk was dominated by two massive handball calls that went against the Bavarian giants.

AFP

Vitinha smashes ball against Neves' arm

Bayern Munich’s elimination from the Champions League semi-finals following a tense 1-1 draw on the night was overshadowed by a series of controversial decisions. With a spot in the final against Arsenal on the line, the tension boiled over as the German side felt they were denied clear advantages.

The most debated moment arrived when Vitinha’s attempted clearance struck the outstretched arm of teammate Joao Neves inside the PSG box. Despite the Bayern players surrounding referee Joao Pinheiro in protest, no penalty was awarded. The decision stood because the current Laws of the Game protect players from handball calls when the ball is struck onto them by a teammate from close range, provided no immediate goal is scored. It was a bitter pill for Bayern to swallow, especially given the soft penalty they conceded in the first leg.

Getty Images Sport

Kompany hits out at 'ridiculous' handball rule

The Bayern Munich manager did not hold back after seeing his side dumped out of the competition, questioning the "common sense" of the officials monitoring the high-stakes clash.

“We have to look at some of the phases that were decided by the officials across the two games which… it’s never an excuse for everything but it matters,” Kompany said in his post-match assessment. “If we look at both legs probably too much went against us. The guys gave everything and we tried against a fantastic PSG team. [Joao Neves’] hand is in the air, it hits it. Because it’s from his own teammate it’s not a penalty. But if you look at both [situations], a little bit of common sense and it’s just ridiculous. Whatever needs to happen but it’s ridiculous. It doesn’t tell the whole game but it’s a one-goal game in the end.”

Nuno Mendes escapes red card

Kompany’s frustration was heavily compounded by an earlier flashpoint involving PSG defender Nuno Mendes, when the Portuguese international appeared to handle the ball deliberately to stop a Bayern attack. Already on a yellow card, Mendes seemed destined to be sent off. Instead, the referee awarded a free-kick to the visitors for an earlier infringement.

It was a moment that left the home crowd incensed. Bayern were already chasing the game against 11 men after Ousmane Dembele had given PSG the lead after just 141 seconds, and they firmly believed they deserved a numerical advantage. Commenting on the incident, Kompany suggested the official bottled a monumental decision: “I felt he pulled out because he realised he already gave him a yellow and he didn’t want to send him off for that.”

- Muhammad Zaki

POST-MATCH ANALYSIS | BAYERN MÜNCHEN VS. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL

 

BAYERN MUNICH VS. PSG | 1-1 (5-6) | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

THIERRY HENRY REACTS TO ARSENAL REACHING THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

 

GABRIEL JESUS APPEARS TO SLAP ATLÉTICO MADRID STAR AS TEMPERS FLAIR AFYER ARSENAL WIN

Gabriel Jesus appeared to slap Marc Pubill shortly after Arsenal’s semi-final win (Picture: X)

Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill appeared to get slapped in the face by Gabriel Jesus as he aggressively intruded on Arsenal’s celebrations after last night’s Champions League semi-final second leg.

A week on from the sides’ 1-1 draw in Madrid, Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal to send the Gunners through to this year’s showpiece, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.

Budapest’s Puskas Arena will stage Arsenal’s second-ever appearance in a Champions League final on May 30, two decades on from the club’s painful defeat to Barcelona when Arsene Wenger was at the helm.

Wild celebrations broke out at the Emirates as referee Daniel Siebert blew his whistle to signal full-time, with Mikel Arteta’s jubilant squad soaking up the occasion with supporters inside the stadium.

But the moment took an unsavoury turn as Atleti right-back Pubill shoved an unsuspecting Viktor Gyokeres from behind, sparking a furious reaction from Cristhian Mosquera and Jesus, who had been arm-in-arm with their Swedish team-mate.

Fan footage shows Mosquera attempting to shepherd Pubill away from Gyokeres, but not before Jesus – an unused substitute on the night -appeared to land a heavy blow on the side of the Spaniard’s face – sending his head spinning backwards.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice were both seen trying to deescalate the situation and Pubill eventually off walked off, before making his way towards the away dressing room in north London.

Saka scored the decisive goal in north London (Picture: Getty)

It was initially unclear what had triggered Pubill to approach Gyokeres at full-time and neither manager was asked about the incident when facing the media in the immediate aftermath.

However, a separate clip doing the rounds on social media shows Gyokeres goading Pubill just moments earlier, screaming in the full-back’s direction on the halfway line.

Gyokeres gave Atleti’s defenders a torrid time for much of the clash, doing the dirty work and proving a handful in what is arguably his finest and most important performance yet for the Gunners.

‘He was immense,’ Arteta said of Gyokeres’ display when talking to Amazon Prime shortly after the final whistle.

‘You can see the reaction from the crowd every time he had the ball, his work-rate and what he’s giving the team is just incredible.’

A beaming Arteta said he had never before felt such a ‘special’ and ‘unique’ energy inside the Emirates during his reign as head coach.

‘It’s an incredible night. We made history again together. I cannot be happier and prouder of everyone involved in this football club,’ he added.

‘The manner that we got to see outside the stadium was special and unique.

Arsenal’s players soaked up the moment with fans in the Emirates crowd (Picture: Getty)

‘The atmosphere that our supporters created, the energy, the way they lived every ball with us, it made it special and unique. I never felt that in the stadium.

‘We knew how much it meant to everybody. We put everything in, the boys did an incredible job.

- Tom Olver

WESLEY SNEIJDER SAYS UEFA SHOULD HAVE CANCELED ARSENAL'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DECIDER VS ATLÉTICO MADRID BEFORE HALF-TIME & CLAIMS GUNNERS 'DON'T HAVE ANY TOP PLAYERS'

Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder has launched a scathing attack on the quality of Arsenal’s semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, suggesting UEFA should have called the second leg clash off after just 35 minutes. Despite the Gunners winning 1-0 at the Emirates to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory, the Dutch legend was left entirely unimpressed by the spectacle.

Sneijder calls for UEFA intervention

In a damning assessment of the semi-final clash, the former Real Madrid and Inter playmaker joked that the governing body should have stepped in and stopped the match before the half-time whistle had even blown. Bukayo Saka eventually scored the winning goal of the tie, but Sneijder felt the level of football on show was far below the standard expected of such a prestigious stage in European competition.

Speaking on Ziggo Sport, the outspoken Dutchman delivered a brutal verdict on the proceedings in north London. "I said after 35 minutes, UEFA must intervene," Sneijder said. "They need to call London: both teams off the pitch, and tomorrow the final will be played between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. I knew this would happen, Atletico dropped back and gave away possession, and Arsenal had a lot of control over the ball."

Getty Images Sports

No 'top players' at the Emirates

Sneijder did not stop at criticising the match itself, as he aimed a side-swipe at the personnel available to Mikel Arteta. While the Dutchman acknowledged the manager's achievement in leading the Gunners to secure their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 win, he argued that the squad lacks genuine world-class talent compared to the European giants of the past.

"I looked at the players again, and Arteta already deserves a statue," Sneijder added. "He simply doesn't have any top players, and with the current squad, he manages to push Atletico back, which is impressive." The comments come despite Arsenal remaining unbeaten in the competition and conceding only six goals across 14 matches, showcasing a defensive resilience that has defined their run to Budapest.

Simeone refuses to make excuses

While Sneijder was busy questioning the quality of the match, Atleti boss Diego Simeone took a more humble approach to his side's exit. Despite a controversial moment where his team believed they should have been awarded a penalty, the Argentine refused to make excuses and instead focused on the strength of the Premier League leaders.

"If we were eliminated, it's because our opponent deserved to advance. They were clinical in the first half and earned their place. But what I feel is tranquillity, peace. The team gave everything they had," Simeone said. "We came to compete against an incredibly powerful team, and with our own strengths, we fought as hard as we could. I'm grateful to our fans, our players, and I'm proud to be where I am. I said during preseason at the stadium that we were going to compete, and we did. Unfortunately, we didn't win anything, that's true, but we reached places that aren't easy to reach."

Eyes on the final in Budapest

The Gunners will now head to Budapest to face the winner of the clash between PSG and Bayern Munich. The French side currently hold a 5-4 lead following a chaotic first leg, a match that Sneijder clearly feels represented a higher level of football than what was witnessed in London. Arteta will likely ignore the noise from the outside as he prepares his side for a historic showdown on the European stage, with Arsenal just 90 minutes away from potentially lifting their first-ever European Cup.

- Muhammad Zaki

ARSENAL MAKE A HUGE STATEMENT AS THEY MADE HISTORY | COYG

 

BUKAYO SAKA REACTS TO REACHING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL | FULL POST-MATCH INTERVIEW | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ARSENAL REACH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL! | SIMIONE & ARTETA REACTION

"I KNEW WE COULD WIN" | DECLAN RICE FULL INTERVIEW

ARSENAL EQUAL ASTONISHING 55-YEAR RECORD IN ATLETICO MADRID WIN AS MIKEL ARTETA SINGLES OUT "IMMENSE" PLAYER

 

© Iconsport / Paul Marriott/Alamy Live News

Arsenal equalled an astonishing 55-year club record and wrote a new chapter of Champions League history in their monumental semi-final triumph over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners ended an agonising 20-year exile from Europe's main event thanks to a gutsy display against Diego Simeone's side, who succumbed to a 1-0 loss on the night and a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

Bukayo Saka's tap-in towards the end of the first half was the difference between the two clubs, as Arsenal progressed to their first Champions League final since losing to Barcelona in the 2005-06 edition.

record and wrote a new chapter of Champions League history in their monumental semi-final triumph over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners ended an agonising 20-year exile from Europe's main event thanks to a gutsy display against Diego Simeone's side, who succumbed to a 1-0 loss on the night and a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

Bukayo Saka's tap-in towards the end of the first half was the difference between the two clubs, as Arsenal progressed to their first Champions League final since losing to Barcelona in the 2005-06 edition.

Either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain - who contest their second leg on Wednesday - will stand in the Gunners' way of lifting the trophy at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30.

Arteta's men may be viewed as the underdogs against either of the two top-scoring teams in the Champions League this season, but the finalists have now avoided defeat in each of their 14 continental clashes in 2025-26.

Arsenal equal club record for wins in single season

© Iconsport / DeFodi Images

In Champions League history, there have been 44 instances of a team playing 14 games or more, and Arsenal are the only side to go unbeaten in all of them.

Arteta has masterminded 11 victories and three draws in the current edition, while also conceding just six goals along the way and registering nine clean sheets.

Arsenal's shut-out tonight also marked their 30th clean sheet across all competitions, where Arteta's men have now won a staggering 41 games in the current season.

With their second-leg victory, Arsenal also equalled their club record for their most wins in a single campaign, having also prevailed in 41 contests during their historic 1970-71 season.

That year, Bertie Mee led Arsenal to a First Division and FA Cup double, and Arteta could now oversee an unprecedented Premier League and Champions League-winning campaign for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta singles out "immense" Arsenal player in Atletico victory

© Iconsport / PA Images

Saka scored the winning goal, but every man in red and white played their part in a joyous evening for the Premier League leaders, whose manager Arteta singled out one "immense" player.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres missed a golden chance to put Arsenal 2-0 up, but the Swede played a key role in Saka's winner and used his physical frame to his advantage, drawing three fouls and constantly backing into defenders to hold up play.

Asked about Gyokeres's display by Amazon Prime, Arteta had nothing but praise for his summer signing, in spite of his second-half howler in front of goal.

"He was immense," Arteta said on Gyokeres. "You could see the reaction of the crowd ever time he was holding the ball. His work rate, what he's giving the team, it's just incredible."

After learning their opponents for the 2025-26 UCL final, Arsenal continue their pursuit of the Premier League title away to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

- Ben Knapton

ARSENAL STARTING XI VS. ATLÉTICO MADRID | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

 

FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN VS. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN | SECOND LEG | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

 

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS BAYERN MUNICH [5-4] - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG 2025/2026 - TACTICAL ANALYSIS

Paris Saint-Germain hosted Bayern Munich for the first leg of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League semi-final at Parc des Princes.

Widely gaining popularity as one of the most entertaining games in football history, this fixture had it all, with the hosts edging past their competitors with a 5-4 win.

PSG and Bayern have two of the most ruthless attacking trios in Europe this season, as evidenced by the quality, speed, and effectiveness of their attacking moves on the night.

Both sides, on several occasions, opened up their opponents with ease, which made for a nerve-wracking game overall.

Through this tactical analysis, we aim to discuss Paris Saint-Germain’s and Bayern Munich’s approach to the game, areas both sides struggled in, and find out where Bayern can hurt PSG in the second leg.

Paris Saint-Germain Vs Bayern Munich Lineups & Formations

Let's look at how Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany fielded their squads.

PSG Lineup Vs Bayern Munich

PSG played in a 4-3-3 formation.

Matvey Safonov started between the sticks.

The back four were Achraf Hakimi (right-back), skipper Marquinhos (right centre-back), Willian Pacho (left centre-back), and Nuno Mendes (left-back).

The latter was replaced by Lucas Hernández (84’).

João Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery were the midfield three.

The latter was substituted by Fabián Ruiz at the 64th minute.

Désiré Doué (right) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (left) were the two wingers, with Ousmane Dembélé as the striker.

Bradley Barcola came on for Doué (70’) and Senny Mayulu for Kvaratskhelia (84’).

Bayern Munich Lineup Vs PSG

Bayern played in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Skipper Manuel Neuer started in goal.

Josip Stanišić (right-back), Dayot Upamecano (right centre-back), Jonathan Tah (left centre-back), and Alphonso Davies (left-back) were the back four.

Konrad Laimer replaced the latter at 46 minutes.

Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović played as the double pivot.

The latter made way for Nicolas Jackson (90’ +3).

Michael Olise (right) and Luis Díaz (left) were the two wingers, with Jamal Musiala as the attacking midfielder.

Musiala came off for Leon Goretzka (79’).

Harry Kane played as the lone striker.

Paris Saint-Germain & Bayern Munich Style Of Play

PSG and Bayern share similar identities in their approach to the game.

Both sides are brilliant examples of total football, showcasing frequent positional rotations both in and out of possession.

An example: Vitinha, a centre-midfielder, operates in the wide channel.

He attracts multiple opponents before moving the ball to the half-space.

Meanwhile, the winger moves into the half-space.

For Bayern, Kane frequently dropped deep into midfield to offer an additional option for progression.

Whenever the centre-backs followed him, other teammates exploited the space higher up the pitch.

This was the case with Bayern’s defenders as well.

During a build-up situation for PSG, both Bayern centre-backs (Upamecano and Tah) follow an opponent each deep into the mid-third, while Stanisić also follows an opponent in the half-space.

With defenders from both sides jumping in this manner, there were multiple instances when they delayed the opposition’s progression or even won the ball.

However, there were also scenarios where the opponent bypassed the pressure and went straight to a counterattack.

- Vedant Kharakwal