At a Glance:
Arsenal play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday evening.
The Gunners are looking to claim their first triumph in this competition.
French media have had their say on Mikel Arteta and his team ahead of this European showdown.
Arsenal are set for the biggest match in their history, as Mikel Arteta’s men prepare to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday evening in Budapest.
The Gunners were crowned Premier League champions last week, ending their 22-year wait for a top-flight title. They can now win a historic double by beating PSG – a feat that would place this current Arsenal side into the pantheon of great English teams over the last 30 years.
PSG are reportedly extremely confident heading into this clash, and this confidence could ultimately result in complacency, favouring Arsenal. Regardless, it’s set to be an intense spectacle which will define both of these teams’ legacies in Europe.
What French media are saying about Arsenal
Both PSG and Arsenal are revered around Europe for the way they operate from a footballing perspective. Luis Enrique and Arteta are generally heralded for the work they’ve done in their current projects, and this has been reflected in how French media are portraying the Gunners ahead of the Champions League final.
SoFoot, a major football publication in France, have written an in-depth feature praising Arsenal for showing faith in Arteta’s project, in an era where constant upheaval is the most common method of running a football club.
Minds on the mission. pic.twitter.com/VIlzwEn4EE
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 29, 2026
“In a football world where certainties are fading away, PSG and Arsenal, bolstered by colossal budgets, are giving a slap in the face to the constant upheaval imposed at the highest level,” they wrote.
“Marked by continuity and a long-term vision, their projects combine teamwork with a clearly defined playing philosophy.”
The publication also went on to highlight how Arteta deserves credit for enacting a clear style of play, which he has stuck by despite constant criticism from outsiders.
“Convictions are another crucial topic when discussing coaches. While the direction a club takes must be shared by all decision-makers, the final link in the chain is undoubtedly the coach, guided by his deepest beliefs.
“There’s no question of abandoning an entire vision of football because of three failures or a series of defeats.
“So, on Saturday night, it will be two sects and 22 faithful followers, ready to do anything to make their ideas prevail, and above all, their supreme leader: the coach.”
This appraisal of Arsenal should fill fans with confidence
Clearly, Arsenal are held in high regard on the continent. Even though the coverage of the Gunners in the UK can often be negative, those abroad aren’t swept up by the emotional swings of week-to-week league football and are able to see the holistic picture.
This likely means PSG will show a lot of respect to Arsenal, but Arteta’s men should be encouraged by this. Not only is it a recognition of their hard work and graft, but it should invigorate the Gunners players, giving them more confidence.
Not finished yet. pic.twitter.com/SswVKi08PT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 28, 2026
More respect can validate the players’ feelings about themselves. Clearly, they are one of the best in the world, have earned the right to be at this stage of the competition, and can certainly compete with PSG.
They should be excited by the prospect of winning the Champions League, not nervous about potentially failing to win it.