“There are moments in the Champions League when somebody has to deliver a magic moment – and he delivered that again,” Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal overcame Atletico Madrid to book their first major European final in two decades.
You might assume the Arsenal manager was referencing Bukayo Saka, whose crucial goal secured their semi-final victory on Tuesday. However, that “magic moment” on a memorable night in north London came from centre-back Gabriel, as Atletico pressed for an equaliser after Saka’s opener.
William Saliba’s poor defensive header allowed Giuliano Simeone to race past goalkeeper David Raya with a clear chance to level the score. But an alert Gabriel produced a last-ditch intervention, applying just enough pressure to disrupt Simeone’s shot and spare Saliba’s embarrassment.
Arsenal’s defensive solidity has often been criticised, with the team labelled dull and overly pragmatic. Yet it has been the cornerstone of their unbeaten run to the final.
Their toughest challenge awaits on 30 May in Budapest against Paris St-Germain, who reached the final after a 6-5 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Champions League MOTD analyst Nedum Onuoha said: “I was so impressed with PSG. Their work-rate was incredible. As much as statistics highlight PSG’s extraordinary attack, you don’t get this far without defensive strength too. While their attack is special, they have improved as a unit throughout the season.”
‘Arsenal certainly have a chance against PSG’
Clarence Seedorf, the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs, believes Arsenal’s defence could be the key against free-scoring PSG.
“We have seen a team like Arsenal make the difference this year with so many clean sheets and coming all the way,” Seedorf told Amazon Prime. “If I had to pick one team capable of bringing it home because of that capacity, it is Arsenal. Tell me one sport you can win without a proper defence – I don’t think it exists.”
Tuesday’s 1-0 win was Arsenal’s ninth clean sheet in 14 European matches – they have conceded only two goals in six knockout games – and their 30th overall this season. They have allowed opponents an expected goals (xG) of just 0.84 per game. Seven of the past 13 Champions League winners averaged less than 1.0 xG per game in their successful campaigns, while PSG’s average xGA (expected goals against) in Europe this season is 1.38.
Arsenal have had a slightly easier route to the final, beating Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico, whereas PSG overcame Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern. However, you can only beat the teams in front of you – and Arsenal did so impressively, topping the 32-club league phase with eight wins from eight matches, including statement victories over Bayern, Atletico and last season’s finalists Inter Milan.
Their 14-game unbeaten run is the longest in the competition, surpassing a 13-match streak between March 2005 and April 2006, when under Arsene Wenger they reached the final only to lose to Barcelona. But it is the newfound defensive maturity that sets this Arsenal side apart from previous editions.
Onuoha added: “There are definitely reasons for Arsenal to be confident about the final, 100%. They know PSG’s style and that if you allow them to overwhelm you, you can really struggle. But Arsenal will have a plan. Obviously they have the domestic season to sort out as well, but they will definitely have a plan for the Champions League final.”
