Former England and Liverpool striker, Michael Owen, has tipped Arsenal to shock Paris Saint-Germain in the 2026 UEFA Champions League final, suggesting they could crown an impressive season that already includes a Premier League title.
Owen argued that although PSG may boast a superior squad on paper, Arsenal’s physical presence and defensive organisation could give them the edge in a one-off final.
He believes the Premier League champions would pose problems PSG are not accustomed to facing, particularly from set-piece situations and aerial duels.
Speaking to the Premier League website, Owen highlighted Arsenal’s strength in dead-ball situations and their aggressive style of play, insisting the French champions may struggle to cope.
“They’ve got a chance! I think PSG are a better team, but I tell you what, they won’t have come up against anything like this Arsenal team,” Owen told Premier League website.
He continued by stressing how Arsenal’s physical approach could unsettle PSG, “Once they line up alongside them, see the size of them, once they get a corner and see the blocking and the pushing.
“PSG won’t be used to marking players like that, being bombarded like that, they won’t know what’s hit them! They need to not give any set-plays away, that’s Arsenal’s best chance, especially against PSG. They’re a good defensive, solid team, they’re not going to prize open teams necessarily.
“But I tell you what, if they can make it a physical game, Paris won’t fancy this. They won’t be licking their lips against Arsenal.”
