Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in Saturday’s final in Budapest, aiming to defend their crown. The Gunners have never won the trophy, but after clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, Mikel Arteta’s side believe they can dethrone the French champions. AFP Sport looks at five key talking points ahead of the clash at the Puskas Arena. Arsenal’s set-piece threat This season, Arteta’s team have sometimes struggled to create from open play, but they have posed incredible danger from dead-ball situations. Arsenal’s physical players cause havoc at corners, particularly centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, and they will look to put PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov under heavy pressure, perhaps their weakest link. Set piece coach Nicolas Jover is considered the best in the business and nearly 40 percent of Arsenal’s goals in their run to the Premier League title came from dead ball situations. “People may say that they don’t score team goals, but who cares about that?” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, acknowledging Arsenal’s effective tactics. “Ask any Arsenal fan and I’m sure they’re delighted.” PSG’s strong left flank Arsenal are boosted by Jurrien Timber’s return to fitness after a groin injury, particularly given the biggest problem for Arteta to solve is how to handle PSG’s left flank. Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has arguably been the competition’s best player, scoring 10 goals for the French side, and behind him at left-back Nuno Mendes is a dynamic force going forward. Arteta must decide whether to put Timber straight into the lineup after two-and-a-half months out, or if he will deploy centre-back Cristhian Mosquera on the right. Declan Rice has also been used there in Timber’s absence, but the midfielder will be vital in the centre of the pitch up against PSG’s Vitinha. Mileage check Many of Arsenal’s likely starting line-up in the final have played over 3,000 minutes each this season across all competitions, with Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya hitting 4,000. Arteta has stayed faithful to a core of players and insisted his team should not use fatigue as an “excuse”. “That’s the context and that’s the scenario, and we have to embrace it and especially enjoy the opportunity,” said the Spanish coach last month, in the thick of the title race. By contrast, Luis Enrique has been able to rotate and rest many of his first choice players in Ligue 1 as PSG claimed their 12th title in the last 14 years.
