At a Glance:
PSG’s advantage over Arsenal in the Champions League final.
Arsenal embroiled in Premier League title race.
PSG preparing against Arsenal’s set-piece tactics.
Arsenal will have one eye on their much-awaited Champions League final clash against Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
With Manchester City beating Crystal Palace 3-0 on Wednesday, however, the Gunners’ prime focus has to remain on the Premier League title race.
However, when Arsenal play against PSG, this current crop of players have the chance to win Europe’s elite competition, a feat yet to be achieved by the club in their 140-year-old history.
Luis Enrique’s men have achieved a feat that should be a concern for Mikel Arteta and Co.
PSG winning Ligue 1 gives Luis Enrique the chance to rest his team ahead of Arsenal clash
By beating Lens 2-0 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, PSG have won Ligue 1 with one game to spare.
Arsenal have not won the Premier League title yet, on the other hand and as a result, they do have the same luxury as the Parisians of potentially resting their key players ahead of the Champions League final.
Unless Manchester City drop points to AFC Bournemouth next week, the title race will go down to the final day of the season and the Gunners themselves cannot afford to slip up. This season, much has been made of PSG’s main men playing a measly amount of football compared to other big names in Europe.
PSG’s key players Ligue 1 starts
Ousmane Dembele 10/33
Achraf Hakimi 15/33
Desire Doue 16/33
Nuno Mendes 13/33
All statistics correct as of 14/05/2026
The fact that Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Desire Doue and Nuno Mendes have all started less than half of the 33 games in Ligue 1 validates the much-discussed topic.
Arsenal are underdogs against PSG in any case but the fact that the defending champions of Europe can rest their top dogs against Paris FC and have 11 days to rest ahead of the clash in Budapest is undeniably advantageous.
What PSG are already working on in training ahead of Champions League final
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side will have only five days to take a breather if their title dream can only be fulfiled on the final day of the league season against Crystal Palace.
PSG are already preparing for Arsenal’s set-pieces as well, with their goalkeepers using tackle bags inside the penalty area to deal with the Gunners’ tactics of surrounding the man in between the sticks with bodies.
Mikel Arteta himself would love to work on the potentially minute details that could decide the final but he has no choice but to first steer his side towards Premier League glory.
Srinivas Sadhanand
Srinivas Sadhanand is a writer for Read Arsenal and Read Man City, with over eight years of experience as a sports journalist. He has worked for established companies such as GRV Media, The Economic Times, Urban Pitch and Sportskeeda among several others. From interview athletes to writing detailed tactical pieces and covering the impact streetwear and music in football, he has many strings to his bow as a journalist. Being a lifelong Manchester City fan, he specialises in writing about them and the Premier League in particular. Away from the desk, he loves watching European football, cricket, films, listening to music and exploring new foods.
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