Arsenal, the grand final of the Champions League » GSP correspondents transmit the latest information from Budapest

UPDATE at 09:40 » Mikel Arteta: “Luis Enrique has always been a point of reference”

At the press conference ahead of the Champions League final with PSG, Mikel Arteta, 44, displayed a mixture of confidence and composure, insisting that Arsenal have earned the right to be present in the final act of the competition, but that the real challenge will only begin at game time.

Luis Enrique has always been a point of reference, ever since he was a player. What he achieved at PSG is extraordinary. You can see his mark everywhere: in the way the team plays, in the mentality and attitude of the players.

We have to play with clarity, courage and the will to win. If we have these three qualities, I think we will be able to impose ourselves.

Our ambition is even greater. This is what we talk about all the time. This match must be a platform to allow us to go even further. The players are confident and I am confident.” Full statements, HERE.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, ahead of the UCL final with PSG

UPDATE at 09:30 » They are filming with drones

Budapest not only hosts a Champions League final, but becomes the center of the global media industry for a few days. The match between PSG and Arsenal means a huge spectacle not only on the field, but also behind the cameras.

Hundreds of accredited journalists, dozens of cameras, kilometers of optical fiber and an impressive technical operation prepared on a cinematic level for one of the most watched sporting events on the planet.

The visual spectacle will be ensured by an impressive filming plan: 42 cameras for the official production, including aerial system, helicopter, two drones, eight super slow-motion cameras and three hi-speed cameras. Every frame is thought out to turn the finale into a total experience! More details, HERE.

UPDATE at 09:20 » Historic event in Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is already under pressure ahead of the Champions League final. Tourism experts estimate that more than 200,000 supporters will arrive in the Hungarian capital, and the city is preparing for what could become the biggest tourist event in its history.

Data on flight and accommodation bookings show an increase of around 250% compared to a normal period, while transport infrastructure is expected to be operating at full capacity. More details, HERE.

UPDATE at 09:15 » Spectacular images from the last training sessions of the finalists

PSG and Arsenal carried out the official training sessions at the “Puskas Arena”, a few hours before the big final of the Champions League.

Luis Enrique's players looked relaxed and focused and the atmosphere in the European champions' squad was a good one. On the other side, Mikel Arteta carefully coordinated his training session, while Arsenal's players were cheered on by the groups of supporters present in the stadium.

LIVE, from 19:00 » PSG – Arsenal, Champions League final, in Budapest

PSG – Arsenal, probable teams:

PSG (4-3-3): Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, N. Mendes – Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves – Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
reserves: Chevalier, Marin – Berlado, Zabarnyi, L. Hernandez, Ruiz, Lee, Mayulu, Dro Fernandez, Ndjantou, G. Ramos, Mbaye, Barcola
Absent:-
Coach: Luis Enrique

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori – Odegaard, Rice, Eze – Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
reserves: Kepa, Setford – Mosquera, Hincapie, Salmon, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Norgaard, Jesus, Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli, Dowman
Absent: Ben White
Coach: Mikel Arteta

Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany) // ASSISTANT: Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn (both Germany)
Book: Sandro Scharer (Switzerland) // Reserve 2: Guadalupe Porray Ayuso (Spain)
VAR referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany) // Assistant VAR: Robert Schroder (Germany) // VAR support: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

PSG are dreaming of retaining European football's crown in Paris after last year's resounding triumph in Munich, that 5-0 thrashing of Inter that instantly went down in competition history. Just like the previous season, Luis Enrique's side went through a first part of the season with obstacles and doubts, only to make a spectacular resurgence in the spring.

Now the Parisians are one step away from immortality: 90 minutes, maybe 120, maybe a penalty shootout, separate them from becoming the first French team to win the Champions League twice and the first team to successfully defend the trophy since Real Madrid.

In front of them stands Arsenal, the club that seems to have finally found its destiny. After ending their Premier League drought, Mikel Arteta's side have the chance to finally close a wound that has been bleeding for two decades and goes by the name of Barcelona 2006.

Luis Enrique and Mikel Arteta, two of the brightest minds in modern football. Two champions of the football West. A magnificent stadium and a trophy that can forever change the place of the two clubs in history. All are the prerequisites for a true football royalty in Budapest.

What the two Iberian technicians said: “The possibility of making history reassures us” / “The trophy appeared in my dreams”

I think we have similar destinations, but we chose different routes. I am not at all surprised by the way Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have gone. They were the best and most consistent team in the Premier League. It wasn't easy at all, especially with Manchester City behind them, but they deserved the title.

I think Arteta has been at Arsenal for about six and a half years and knows the club and the team very well. The possibility of making history is one that reassures us and, at the same time, motivates us additionally”, declared the Iberian, at the beginning of the press conference.

We have already entered the history books as one of the best teams in the world, but we want more. Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, all these games showed exactly what kind of team we are. In most of them we dominated the game.

It is our second Champions League final and it will be difficult. In fact, it would be difficult for anyone. You never know when you will get the chance to play a final like this again, so you have to make the most of this opportunity.

– Luis Enrique, PSG coach

Luis Enrique, before the big final PSG – Arsenal

The preparation was excellent before this game. We are here because we have earned that right. Tomorrow, on the pitch, we have to earn the right to lift the trophy. Timber and Madueke are fine, they can play. The only player in trouble is Ben White.

When I look around and see the desire of all the players to perform in the most important game in football, I completely understand their excitement. But they all have to accept that they will be used when needed and keep their focus.

Luis Enrique has always been a point of referenceever since he was a player. What he achieved at PSG is extraordinary. You can see his mark everywhere: in the way the team plays, in the mentality and attitude of the players.

The Champions League trophy appeared in my dreams as did the Premier League trophy. Tomorrow is the last step. We are going to win and bring the trophy home.

Our ambition is even greater after winning the title. They are defending their trophy, they are the champions, and we want to take that status away from them. As for the starting team, it's like a game of chess.

– Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, ahead of the UCL final with PSG

The path of the Parisians to the final in Budapest:

• 14 points in the group stage (4 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses), 11th place:

• 5-4 on aggregate with Monaco in the play-offs, 3-2 in the round (d), 2-2 in the return leg (a)

• 8-2 on aggregate with Chelsea in the round of 16, 5-2 in the first leg (a), 3-0 in the second leg (d)

• 4-0 on aggregate with Liverpool in the quarters, 2-0 in the first leg (a), 2-0 in the second leg (d)

• 6-5 overall with Bayern, 5-4 in round (a), 1-1 in return (d)

How the “gunners” reached the final of the Champions League, after two decades of absence:

• 24 points in the group stage (8 successes), 1st place:

• 3-1 on aggregate with Leverkusen in the round of 16, 1-1 in the first leg (d), 2-0 in the second leg (a)

• 1-0 on aggregate with Sporting in the quarters, 1-0 in the round (d), 0-0 in the return leg (a)

• 2-1 on aggregate with Atletico Madrid, 1-1 in the first leg (d), 1-0 in the second leg (a)

The most interesting statistics:

• PSG is playing the third Champions League final in history and the second in a row. No other French team has ever reached three finals of the competition;

• The 2026 final is the first in which the title champion appears after eight years. The last time it happened was in 2018, when Real Madrid defended their trophy;

• The direct balance between the two clubs it is perfectly balanced before the finale: two PSG wins, two Arsenal wins and three draws;

• Arsenal have not lost in this edition of the Champions League: 11 wins, 3 draws;

• The team that scored first won each of the last 11 Champions League finals;

• It is only the fourth Cup/Champions League final between the clubs coming from two different European capitals: Paris and London join an extremely short list;

• Arsenal is coming off a marathon season: the final with PSG is the 63rd match of the season for the Londonersmore than any other team in the top five European championships;

• In contrast, PSG managed the starters' minutes much better. According to the analyzes before the final, the probable first “11” of the Parisians accumulated approx 5,500 minutes less than Arsenal's during the season;

• PSG scored 44 goals in this edition of the Champions League. It is the second highest total in the history of the competition in a single seasonbeing surpassed only by Barcelona in 1999-2000 (45);

• Arsenal have the best defense in the current edition: only 6 goals conceded in 14 matches, that is, an incredible average of 0.43 goals conceded per game;

• Furthermore, the Londoners did not concede a single goal from action in the knockout stages of the competition. All goals conceded came from set pieces or penalties;

• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia contributed to 10 goals in the knockout stages (7 goals and 3 assists), the best record in the competition;