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Sam Tighe
Multiple Authors
Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final in Budapest sees Paris Saint-Germain face off against Arsenal — two strong football teams with contrasting styles.
Both teams have well-defined characteristics, making it easier to predict how the match will unfold: PSG, renowned for their passing game and averaging 64.6% possession in Ligue 1 this season, will attempt to navigate the field fluidly, while Arsenal, who excelled defensively and scored the most goals from set pieces in the Premier League, will adopt a resolute and opportunistic approach.
This match will not solely be an attack from Luis Enrique’s side against Mikel Arteta’s defense — Arsenal possesses notable playmakers, and PSG can adapt their strategy to be pragmatic when necessary. Nonetheless, fans can expect a general outline of how the game may develop.
Apart from this overarching game plan, there are several tactical nuances that could significantly influence this prestigious event in European club football.
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PSG’s Unique Kickoff Strategy
In an era where set-piece innovation is the norm, it may seem odd for a team to kick the ball out of play into the opposing half right from the start. However, there is purpose behind this approach.
It’s curious that PSG, arguably the world’s top team, employs this straightforward tactic more than others. So, what motivates them to do this?
“It’s about trapping the opposition,” says set-piece analyst Stuart Reid, who has worked with various clubs, including Champions League contenders Como and newly promoted Hull City. “By pushing up the pitch quickly, you aim to win the ball back from the subsequent throw-in. This allows for quick possession in their opponent’s third.”
This is indeed what PSG executes effectively. In their last two Ligue 1 matches of the season, they regained possession within 30 seconds of kickoff. Interestingly, however, they don’t capitalize on these situations to take early shots — statistics reveal that they kicked the ball out of play 28 times in Ligue 1 and 15 times in the Champions League this season, without once attempting a shot within the first 60 seconds.
Instead, PSG typically circulates the ball back toward their defensive line to establish possession. Some might argue they could achieve this by passing backward from the outset, but as Reid notes, “kickoffs often have a lot of space between players,” which might be a vulnerability that Luis Enrique wants to address.
After all, during recent Premier League matches, two goals were scored immediately following kickoffs, indicating that gaps between defenders tend to be larger at that moment. This is less likely to occur when PSG starts the game, as they reposition and close ranks as a unit once the ball is out of play.
PSG’s goal-kick strategy in the semifinal match against Bayern Munich also generated buzz, as what appeared to be Matvei Safonov consistently mishitting his distribution — sending the ball straight out of play past the halfway line — quickly turned into a recognizable pattern.
“There’s a psychological element to this,” Reid adds. “It keeps the opposition under pressure, puts them on the defensive, and sets up a press on your terms; it’s a game of mental warfare.”
In the first leg, Safonov was also kicking the ball out over Bayern winger Michael Olise, which was a strategy to limit his touches on the ball.
“The objective is to limit his space and crowd him out,” Reid explains. “You’re working to deter him from influencing the game.”
Could PSG use a similar strategy to constrain and apply pressure on Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s linchpin who operates in the right wing position similar to Olise?
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Enrique says PSG are ‘lucky’ to be in another UCL Final
It’s uncommon for teams in the Champions League final to be uncertain about who will lead the attack. Typically, if you’re on the verge of securing a league and European double, your lineup is clear.
However, Arsenal finds itself in this situation. Arteta has two forwards to consider: Havertz or Gyökeres. Both present challenges, and the key to success may lie in deploying them strategically.
Many suggest Gyökeres should start, given his strong finish to the season, an impressive Champions League goal tally (five goals in 11 starts), and particularly his exceptional performances in the semifinal against Atlético Madrid.
Gyökeres thrives when he has space to exploit. (Credit: +Foot Direct)
His performance in the second leg, despite not scoring, was arguably his best overall display in an Arsenal jersey. He physically dominated Diego Simeone’s defense, drawing them into uncomfortable spaces, shielding the ball well, and delivering accurate passes into the penalty area.
Gyökeres excels with such passes — though they carry risk, often leading to turnovers if missed. (Credit: Sky Sports)
However, there’s a limitation: Gyökeres often shines only when he has a physical advantage, as his first touch and control aren’t the sharpest. He compensates with size, aggression, and speed.
Against Atlético, defenders like Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, and Marc Pubill struggled against him. But will he be as effective against PSG’s Willian Pacho and Marquinhos? It seems less likely, especially when they’re fresh.
Havertz is a more polished player and adept at preserving possession in congested areas compared to Gyökeres. (Credit: CBS)
This supports the argument for starting Havertz — who displays better technical skills, links play more effectively, and is an excellent presser. If Arsenal struggles for ball control, his ability to hold up play and allow teammates to advance could prove crucial.
Later in the match, Gyökeres’ physical edge may be more impactful against fatigued opponents or if Arsenal needs to chase the game.
Both starting strategies have merit, and Arteta will face a challenging decision, which he is likely to make decisively.
Right-Back Position: A Target for Both Teams
Neither side enters the final entirely confident about their right-back situation.
Arsenal’s primary choice, Jurriën Timber, hasn’t participated in a matchday squad since mid-March due to injury. His fitness is uncertain, and even if he makes it back, he won’t be at full strength. Additionally, his deputy, Ben White, suffered a season-ending knee injury in May against West Ham United.
This leaves Arsenal to choose from center back Cristhian Mosquera, holding midfielder Martín Zubimendi, or box-to-box player Declan Rice. All three have filled in as right-backs in the past month as Arteta looks to shuffle his lineup.
Of these options, Mosquera seems the most likely, given that he is a natural defender, while the loss of the other two would be felt more in midfield. However, it’s a big challenge for the 21-year-old, who was acquired last summer for an initial £13 million as a development player, to contain PSG’s winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and his accompanying left back Nuno Mendes — arguably the strongest left-sided duo globally.
Adding to the difficulty, “Kvara” frequently swaps positions with his fellow PSG forwards in a very dynamic manner, meaning that Mosquera might find himself tasked with handling Ousmane Dembélé or Désiré Doué instead, complicating his preparation.
Furthermore, there are moments when both PSG wingers converge on the same side, creating overloads and making life difficult for a stand-in right-back.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia can pair with Ousmane Dembélé or Désiré Doué on the same flank, creating mismatches. (Credit: CBS)
On the flip side, Arteta can take solace in the fact that Les Parisiens might not have a fully fit right-back either. Reports indicate that Achraf Hakimi, who sustained a hamstring injury in the first leg of the semifinal against Bayern Munich, is working against the clock to be fit. If he’s unavailable, central midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery will step in.
Zaïre-Emery, only 20 years old, has played right-back numerous times this season, totaling 21 appearances in that role and showing signs of adaptation. Still, he lacks Hakimi’s attacking prowess and isn’t a natural fit on the flank, which could result in Arsenal’s left winger — whether it’s Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, or perhaps some combination on the left — finding opportunities to exploit.
If Hakimi does make an appearance, it would be his first game in a month after a disrupted season caused by the Club World Cup. He might still exhibit signs of fatigue or rustiness, offering Arsenal a potential avenue to explore.