Champions League Final: Arsenal or PSG in Budapest?

Despite remaining invincible up to the final in Budapest, Arsenal remains the underdog in the Champions League final. Will Arsenal finally l...

Despite remaining invincible up to the final in Budapest, Arsenal remains the underdog in the Champions League final. Will Arsenal finally land the title? (Photo credit: YouTube)

Arsenal's day of reckoning in Europe is here. The hard work of over six years, sheer determination, discipline, and sacrifices will all be placed on the line on Saturday. This is the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary.

The Champions League trophy is the only one missing in Arsenal's trophy cabinet, and it's a reason why Arsene Wenger insists it's Arsenal's turn to lift it against the reigning champions PSG on Saturday.

The Gunners' closest run to the title was 20 years ago under the French manager. Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to the Paris final, where they lost to Barcelona. Jens Lehmann was sent off early in the game; Sol Campbell headed Arsenal in front on the night before Juliano Beletti and Samuel Eto'o scored late on to give Barcelona a comeback win.

Arsene Wenger wants the current Arsenal players to use the pain of the 2006 failure to drive them to success. Most members of the 2006 team have been vocal in the media and have shown up in training camps to back the current squad. This is their time; they must make it count.

For PSG, it's an opportunity to consolidate on their current wave. Champions again in the league and ready to defend their UEFA Champions League crown. Luis Henrique is in a buoyant mood ahead of the clash; he strongly believes his side is the clear favorite to win this.

You can't blame him. The entire PSG squad is well-rested. They haven't been involved in rigorous football for three weeks. Their last strong exercise was the second-leg semifinal clash against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. They will be fresh for this.

Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes have both been passed fit to face Arsenal. The Gunners also welcomed back Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino. Both sides have almost everyone fit and available. There will be nowhere to hide for either side.

On both benches, we have league winners. Mikel Arteta finally landed the Premier League title after three straight second-place finishes. He goes into the Champions League final as a winner; the shackles are off, and you expect Arsenal to go for this.

Kvicha Kvaratshkhelia will be pumped for this one. The Georgian is arguably the best footballer in the world right now. He will be supported by a stellar list of quality casts: Ousman Dembele, Desire Doue, Barcola, and Nuno Mendes.

For the Gunners, Bukayo Saka has picked up form at the right time. Declan Rice remains the leading light in midfield, and the trio of Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, and Viktor Gyökeres will all be ready to step up to the fight.

PSG's free-flowing attack against Arsenal's assured defense. The Gunners will hope to do what they have never done in their history: win the Champions League, while PSG will hope to become the second team in the modern era to win the Champions League in back-to-back seasons. Who will win this one?