^ ^ Bukayo Saka responds to claim PSG have major Champions League final advantage

Bukayo Saka will star for Arsenal in the Champions League final (Picture: Getty)

Bukayo has denied Paris Saint-Germain’s well-rested stars will have a major advantage over Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Luis Enrique’s side haven’t kicked a ball in anger since wrapping up another Ligue 1 title and concluding their domestic campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Paris FC on May 17.

A fortnight off has given the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele enough time to ensure they are fit enough to start having both been injury doubts until earlier this week.

Moreover, the number of competitive minutes played by the key members of PSG’s first team squad is far lower than their Arsenal counterparts who were involved in four competitions up until the start of April.

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Saka, however, is confident the extra rest the holders have enjoyed will not prove to be a decisive factor in Budapest this evening.

He said: ‘We’ve had a week to recover and prepare for this game.

‘A game like this is not going to be decided on minutes, it’s going to be decided on moments.’

While the numbers show PSG are the fresher bunch, with less tired legs in the squad, Arsenal’s relentless schedule has provided consistent match sharpness, which in itself could provide a vital advantage they might have over their opponents.

‘Does game and load management provide PSG with more recovery time and will they be fresher during the season? Absolutely,’ said Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics.

‘And the research would back that up. The single most reproducible finding in elite football injury research is that fixture congestion drives muscle injuries. If you have played significantly fewer matches in your domestic league, your accumulative load is lower so your injury risk is lower. PSG can statistically go into the game with a lower injury risk.

‘But I would be careful drawing a straight line from that to PSG being fresher on the day. Match sharpness is a completely different variable, and you can become physically under stimulated if you are not getting competitive minutes regularly. So it is not a question of who is more rested, it is who has the right balance between recovery and stimulus.’

Saka, meanwhile, whose upcoming battle with Hakimi could prove decisive in the destination of the trophy, is confident his team have what it takes to dethrone PSG and secure Arsenal’s maiden Champions League crown.

‘We know the history of the club and we know that tomorrow we can write history as players winning it for the first time,’ said Saka.

‘So that already is a lot of motivation for us.

‘We all know where my journey started. Seven, eight years old at Hale End. This was a long way away, trying to win the Premier League, trying to win the Champions League with Arsenal.

‘It feels like this last week, it’s all kind of become a reality. I’m very excited about the opportunity to win another trophy here and to create that history for the club that I love.’

Buakyo Saka and Mikel Arteta were in high spirits in training ahead of the Champions League final(Credits: Shutterstock)

Those sentiments were echoed by skipper Martin Odegaard who has his eyes on more silverware, just a week on from lifting the Premier League trophy.

He said: ‘I’ve been dreaming about winning these trophies, since I grew up playing football as a kid with my friends, in the little pitch next to my house in Norway.

‘It’s something special that we can achieve that has not been done before.

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‘It was 22 years since we last won the Premier League, and now finally, we did it. So we want to make even more history.

‘When you get the taste of winning and lifting a trophy, you know how nice it feels. So obviously we want to do it again.

‘It would mean a lot to everyone, to our supporters, and we’re ready to do it. I’m looking forward to the game.’

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^ ^ Why the Arsenal vs PSG Champions League final has been switched to 5pm

The Champions League final kicks off at an earlier time of 5pm on Saturday(UEFA via Getty)

The Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will kick-off at the earlier time of 5pm on Saturday.

Traditionally, Champions League finals are played at 8pm but this season, UEFA have brought the match forward by three hours.

UEFA decided to move to an earlier kick-off time in order to ‘enhance the matchday experience and benefit fans, teams and host cities’.

The change in kick-off time is to also make it easier for supporters travelling to and from the match at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

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A statement from UEFA said: ‘The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimising logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits.

How to watch the Champions League final in the UK

(UEFA via Getty)

The Champions League final will be broadcast live via TNT Sports, with coverage starting on TNT Sports 1 at 3pm on Saturday.

‘Our goal is to make matchday a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement, while creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to attend the biggest and most important club football match of the season.

‘For travelling supporters, it will mean improved access to public transport – especially after the match – and a safer, more convenient journey back from the stadium. For the host cities, it will boost the positive economic impact of the event by giving fans the possibility to continue their celebrations.

‘The new kick-off time also aligns with a more accessible broadcasting window, helping the final reach an even broader television and digital audience worldwide, with a particular focus on engaging younger viewers.’

UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, said of the change to the kick-off time: ‘With this change, we are placing the fans’ experience at the heart of our planning.

‘The UEFA Champions League final is the highlight of the football season, and the new kick-off time will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone involved.

‘While a 21:00CET kick-off is well suited for midweek matches, an earlier kick-off on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish – regardless of extra time or penalties – and offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the evening with friends and family, reflecting on the game of the season.’

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^ ^ PSG’s secret tactic for the Champions League final – and how Arsenal can beat it

Luis Enrique could mastermind another European triumph on Saturday (Picture: Getty)

Luis Enrique might have one or two tricks up his sleeve when Paris Saint-Germain take on Arsenal in the Champions League final.

The adage of the immovable object meets the unstoppable force springs to mind when the two collide in Budapest on Saturday. Arsenal’s disciplined pragmatism had paid off and for the first time in 22 years they are Premier League champions with their often unbreachable defence and dead ball wizardry the foundations of their success.

PSG remain the most exhilarating side to watch in Europe, leaving us all spellbound again in their semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich. After that breathless 5-4 thriller where Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue delighted purists everywhere, it was the work of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos at the back that got them over the line in the second-leg.

Dembele’s early goal in Munich that night extended PSG’s aggregate lead and was ultimately enough to see them safely on their way to the Puskas Arena this weekend but it was performances all across the pitch that got them there.

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Enrique has preached the importance of tactical evolution throughout his time in the French capital. In recent seasons, there has been a trend of PSG starting games by immediately launching the ball into touch deep in the final third from kick-off. It allows them to push up and press the life out of the opposition with the goal of wearing them out from minute one.

It’s been a clear pattern this season – PSG have sent the ball straight out of play 28 times in Ligue 1 and 15 times in the Champions League.

In the second-leg against Bayern there was another tweak. Matvey Safonov sent seven of his 11 goal kicks straight out of play that evening. But there was no hand raised in apology from the goalkeeper, no frustration from Enrique and his staff on the touchline or any stern words from his teammates on the pitch. It appeared to be a tactic designed for the night.

Safanov’s passing against Bayern: successful passes in pink, unsuccessful passes in grey (Picture: Opta Analyst)

His pass accuracy that night stood at 29 per cent having completed just 10 of 35. In comparison, Manuel Neuer had a pass completion rate of 74 per cent, unsuccessful in just 11 of his 42 attempts.

Kicking the ball into touch allowed PSG players to close down the space from the resulting throw-in with the press beginning right in front of the touchline, denying Bayern space to quickly move the ball back up the field.

Safonov kicked seven of his 11 goal kicks straight out of play against Bayern (Picture: Getty)

It also removed the threat of losing headers from goal kicks and potentially being caught out of position. The tactic ensured every member if Enrique’s team was right where he wanted them to be.

Can PSG can shackle Saka like they did with Olise?

The ploy limited the impact of Michael Olise. The former Crystal Palace star takes up his position on the right of Bayern’s attack, doing damage in that wild first leg in Paris.

The second time around, the goal kick routine ensured his side of the pitch was locked down and swarming with PSG shirts. Olise could not find the space he thrives in on the counter-attack and was forced into congested midfield areas – exactly what PSG would have preferred him to be.

‘What is important, is that all the supporters want to see PSG win,’ Enrique said after the game, not in the mood to discuss trade secrets. ‘They do not want to know how you play. They like the manner in which we play and, after each match, we talk about the details. But I have no intention of giving information to the opponent.’

Olise had no space to operate (Picture: Sebastian El-Saqqa – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)

Logic would suggest PSG can use the exact same tactic to thwart Bukayo Saka. After missing five games with a troublesome Achilles injury, the England international looked fresher and back to his usual dangerous self in the box with two crucial goals and two assists since returning to the team.

While they will be unable to stop the goal kick routine if Enrique does indeed deploy it again, Arsenal will feel they are equipped to better handle the PSG press than most. Myles Lewis-Skelly has forced his way into Arteta’s thinking at the crucial juncture of the season, starting key games in midfield against Fulham and Burnley ahead of Martin Zubimendi and in the second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid.

His introduction in midfield has paid off and his press resistance is among the best in the Arsenal squad. Against Atletico, his metrics underlined that, completing 79 per cent of his passes and completing 100 per cent of his dribbles.

Could Saka be in for the same treatment? (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

While he has replaced the Spaniard in the team as of late, Zubimendi’s ability to beat the press could also be vital. The Spain international started every one of Arsenal’s 34 Premier League matches before being dropped for the game against Fulham at the beginning of May with the draining season taking its toll. The former Real Sociedad star started at right-back in the dead rubber against Crystal Palace on Sunday and insisted this week he has ‘returned to normal’.  

Arsenal can punish Safonov in goal

While the PSG goalkeeper could have a central role to play, Arsenal will have their own plans for Safonov. Arsenal’s set-piece strength has been the most discussed story of the season – why change the habit now? 25 set piece goals, 19 from corners, were both new Premier League records and the PSG shot stopper has shown he can be vulnerable on crosses and corners.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack believes the Russian is the clear weak link in an otherwise fearsome PSG side, urging Arsenal to put him under pressure as they have done so effectively with other goalkeepers this season.

Safonov could be vulnerable where Arsenal are most dangerous (Picture: Getty Images)

‘There were moments over the two-legs against Bayern where he showed signs of vulnerability, certainly when balls were coming in the box,’ Stack told Metro.

I think he has got a mistake in him. From what I’ve seen, I think he’s one of the weakest links in that group. If I was Arsenal, I would be putting him under severe pressure, certainly from set plays, which Arsenal are very, very good at. 

‘So balls in the box, when he’s put under pressure, from what I’ve seen, he looks very, very vulnerable. 

‘Physically, he doesn’t have a great presence either. When I look at him, he looks quite slim, and a bit lanky, and a bit feeble. And it doesn’t look like he’s got a great presence in the goal. 

‘So I would definitely try and isolate him and put him under pressure from set plays, and get the ball in the box as much as possible.’

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^ ^ Jeremy Jacquet speaks out on snubbing Manchester United and Chelsea for Liverpool

Jeremy Jacquet was sold on the Liverpool project (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool saw off some stiff competition to sign Jeremy Jacquet, who says he turned down interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

The 20-year-old agreed a move to Anfield from Rennes in February, staying with the Ligue 1 side until a summer move.

The defender cost Liverpool a reported £55m up front, with £5m more in add-ons, which shows the high regard the youngster is held in.

Jacquet has been capped up to Under-21 level for France but not for the senior side, has not played in European competition and only has limited Ligue 1 experience.

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A serious shoulder injury suffered shortly after agreeing the Liverpool move has not helped him, as the Frenchman has not played since February.

However, the centre-back’s talent has been widely recognised, with a string of Premier League giants wanting to sign him.

Jacquet told Ouest France of his transfer saga: ‘Honestly, a lot of false things were said! My brother and I were saying, “Where did that come from? I never said that!” It was the first time I’d seen my name linked to social media like that… But anyway, it means clubs are interested in you.

Jacquet has played up to Under-21 level for France (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I won’t say it happened quickly, because I took my time with this big step. But I quickly saw myself at Liverpool. I heard they came in at the last minute, but that’s not true. I’d been talking with them for a long time.’

Asked if Manchester United were one of the clubs interested in him, he said: ‘For example, but also other clubs that haven’t been mentioned. It didn’t happen in a week.’

Jacquet also namechecked Chelsea as an interested party and suggested there were too many players in the Blues squad to compete with.

Jacquet is one of the top centre-back talents in Europe (Picture: Getty Images)

The path to first team football seemed clearer at Anfield, while he welcomes the influence of captain Virgil van Dijk and compatriot Ibrahima Konate.

‘I’m focused on football. I spoke with the management; the club’s history weighed heavily on my decision, but so did the project they offered me,’ he explained.

‘At Chelsea, I felt there were quite a lot of [other] people. Whereas at Liverpool, apart from the fact that Virgil van Dijk is nearing the end of his career, training with him is going to be huge.

‘He’s going to teach me so much. There’s also Ibou Konate, who can help me settle in. Training with guys like that, it doesn’t get any better than that.’

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On Jacquet’s signing in February, Reds boss Arne Slot said: ‘Very pleasing, of course, because first of all he is a very big talent – and maybe even more than “only” a talent, but we speak about talent because of his age, of course.

‘Second of all because we weren’t the only one interested in him, so another big compliment for the people that are working every single day so hard to sign players, that we were able to sign such a big talent.

‘And [it is] another example of the model we are using at this club: so, young, very talented players, sometimes in the start of their career, sometimes already a little bit a few years into their career, but always players that are young and can improve us and help us for the short, but definitely also for the long term.

‘We have signed a lot of them recently and I’ve said many times that the mid- to long-term, but even the short-term, future of this club is in a very, very, very good place.’

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^ ^ Man Utd make offer for second Brazilian star after agreeing Ederson transfer

Carrick desperate to bolster his midfield options (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United have made an offer for Botafogo midfielder Danilo, according to reports in Brazil.

With Casemiro set to depart Old Trafford, United have made rebuilding their midfield a top priority this summer with the club hoping to sign at least two new players in that position.

Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni are thought to be at the top of a shortlist that also includes Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton among others.

The club are also on the brink of signing Ederson from Atalanta with talks over a £38million move the 26-year-old close to being finalised.

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United have now been linked with another Brazilian, one who was selected by Carlo Ancelotti for this summer’s World Cup ahead of Ederson.

UOL reports United are one of four teams to have made offers for the 25-year-old along with Milan, Atalanta and Zenit St Petersburg.

Botafogo expect his value to increase further this summer at the World Cup with the club reluctant to rush into final decision over his future.

Danilo had two seasons at Nottingham Forest (Picture: Getty)

Palmeiras and Flamengo are also monitoring the situation but Danilo’s preference is believed to be to return to Europe.

The Brazil international has already had a stint in the Premier League, joining Nottingham Forest in 2023 in a deal worth £18m.

Danilo had been linked with a move to Arsenal before making the switch to the City Ground but the club opted to sell him just two years later.

Ederson has agreed personal terms to join United (Picture: Getty)

Danilo made 34 appearances in his first season for Forest but suffered a devastating ankle injury on the opening day of the 2024-25 season. He returned to action midway through the campaign to help Forest secure a seventh-place finish before being sold to Botafogo for £21m.

United meanwhile have agreed personal terms with Ederson who is poised to become the first signing of the Michael Carrick era.

Forest star Anderson is the club’s first choice target but the England international is believed to favour a move to Manchester City.

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^ ^ Emmanuel Eboue urges Mikel Arteta not to start two Arsenal stars against PSG

Arteta has some big decisions to make ahead of the final in Budapest (Picture: Getty Images)

While it ended in heartbreak, Emmanuel Eboue still has one or two fond memories of Arsenal’s last visit to the biggest stage in European football.

A thrilling campaign has seen the Gunners claw their way to their first Champions League final in 20 years, dreaming of an unprecedented double for the club having already ended their long wait for a Premier League title.

Barcelona were the opposition in 2006 with the Gunners’ run to the final in Paris inspired by Thierry Henry, still operating at the peak of his powers, and a 19-year-old Cesc Fabregas.

With Invincible winner Lauren injured and coming to the end of his time in north London, Emmanuel Eboue started at right-back that night,  up against the best player on the planet in Ronaldinho who had made the competition is playground.

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Eboue kept the Brazilian superstar very quiet that night with the introduction of Henrik Larsson off the bench tipping the game in Barcelona’s favour as Arsene Wenger’s side were denied.

Arsenal come up against a similarly fearsome attack in Budapest on Saturday with Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leaving teams in a daze over the past two seasons.

Arsenal have had a perfect week in the build-up with Mikel Arteta able to rest his stars on the final day of the league season against Crystal Palace with the title wrapped up five days earlier.

Eboue gave Ronaldinho a tough night 20 years ago (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

But there is a dilemma at right-back. Jurrien Timber has not played since the win over Everton in March. A groin problem that was initially thought to be a minor issue has derailed the Dutchman’s season and while there is still hope he can be involved on Saturday, coming in after more than two months on the sidelined poses its own problems.

‘Timber will want to play,’ Eboue told Metro. ‘As a player, your dream is to play the Champions League final. I think for him, he will want 100 per cent want to start.

‘But he has not played for a long time. He has to wait a little bit then we can see. The PSG team, they are so strong and so fast so I think it is better for Arteta to leave him on the bench.’

Timber remains a doubt for the final (Picture: Getty Images)

Cristhian Mosquera could be handed the most unenviable task in football in trying to shackle Kvaratskhelia if he is given the nod. While Declan Rice and even Martin Zubimendi have been tested in the right-back position, the former Villarreal star has impressed when asked to move out from his familiar role at centre-half.

‘For me, Mosquera is the best option,’ Eboue said, speaking via BetMGM. ‘I have seen his games and he has done very well, he is very strong and he is very hard to get past. I think it is a better [option] for Arteta to let him start.

‘He doesn’t have the technical ability of Timber but he is very strong defensively. I think they need him.’

Arteta has another big decision in midfield. After starting all 34 Premier League games, a drained Martin Zubimendi was dropped for the home game against Fulham at the start of the month with Myles Lewis-Skelly brought in from the cold having been on the periphery of the team all season, starring in midfield alongside Rice.

Lewis-Skelly has shone in midfield when its mattered most (Picture: John Walton/PA Wire)

The England international has provided a telling reminder of his immense quality. But Eboue believes the battle with PSG’s outstanding midfield of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz calls for experience in the form of Rice, Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, suggesting Lewis-Skelly should join Timber on the bench.

‘It is better to pick the midfield that has played together so much play on Saturday. They have done so well together and were so strong for such a long time,’ Eboue said.

‘For me, Lewis-Skelly is too young [to start this game]. I know he is a very good player but for the Champions League final you need the players who have experience. With the PSG midfielders, they are so intelligent and quick. For Lewis-Skelly I think it is better for him to start on the bench and then we will see.’

Eboue, who made 214 appearances for the Gunners between 2004 and 2011, helped thwart Barcelona’s biggest weapon 20 years ago with Ronaldinho having a rare off night in the Stade de France.

Eboue impressed that night against Barcelona as Arsenal fell short (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

‘We knew in that final they were the best team. But so were we,’ Eboue recalled. ‘Every team was scared to play against Arsenal in Europe, Thierry Henry and Fabregas, everyone was scared of them.

‘When I played against Ronaldinho, I told him, “do you know where I come from? I’m from Africa. I’m not scared of you.”

‘Then he spoke to Samuel Eto’o about me. Later when I spoke to Samuel, he said, “Eboue, I think Ronaldinho is scared of you. And that’s why he didn’t try come down your side”.

‘I knew I had to do my best and give everything for the club. People in my country and the Arsenal fans were so happy to see me play like that against Ronaldinho.’

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