Unbeaten Arsenal and holders Paris Saint-Germain clash in the UEFA Champions League final at the Puskas Arena today.
The Gunners are bidding for their first ever UCL title in their second final, while PSG are in consecutive finals and aiming for a second title in as many years, reports Daily Trust.
PSG boast arguably the most prolific attack in the competition’s history with 44 goals scored so far, including eight against Chelsea.
Arsenal, however, boast the best defence with just six goals conceded.
Only one team can win, and we look at five players who can take the statistics to another level or destroy the opponents.
KHVICHA KYARATSKHELIA
The Georgian attacker has made the UCL knockout stage his own with 10 goals contributions (7 goals, 3 assists), outshining Dembele in the process. The former Napoli man has contributed 10 goals and six assists in 15 matches, matched by Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, both out of the competition. He is the first player in UCL history to record a goal or an assist in seven consecutive knockout stage matches in a single campaign, and his goals contribution can breach Arsenal’s stubborn defence to hand PSG consecutive titles.
BUKAYO SAKA
Injuries curtailed the Nigerian native and England international, but the 24 years old returned in time to lead Gunners’ final charge domestically and on the continent. His return culminated in steadying the Arsenal ship en route claiming the EPL title, and his lone goal sent Arsenal into a first final in 20 years. His battle on the wing could determine the extent of Arsenal’s firepower in attack, and a sniffed chance for Saka could end up the decider.
OUSMANE DEMBELE
The winger punished Bayern Munich both home and away in the semi-final, and he faces his most daunting task yet to retain the title for PSG. The Ballon d’Or winner tore Liverpool apart in the quarter-finals scored seven goals and created 18 chances for teammates. These statistics indicate the former Barcelona man could punish Arsenal in the event of a defensive lapse.
NUNO MENDES
Many wingers have been silenced by the Portuguese wingback, and his flight down the wing in attack creates the perfect fodder for the likes of Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue to wreak havoc. He has 42 clearances, 14 successful tackles, and 14 successful dribbles this UCL season, and in addition to a 90% passing accuracy from almost a thousand passes, Mendes is a vital outlet that helps PSG break down opponents from the wing, and failure to contain him could spell doom for the Gunners.
DAVID RAYA
EPL Golden Glove winner and the dependable last line of Arsenal’s mean defence. Raya has come into form at the business end of the season, and has provided masterful performances in the knockout rounds, especially against Sporting Lisbon and Atletico Madrid. He has a record-breaking 89.2% save rate is the first-ever goalkeeper to keep 9 clean sheets in his debut UCL season. More of the same and Arsenal will be celebrating the UCL title on an open us parade through Islington.
DECLAN RICE
Arsenal’s unsung hero in a season that almost fell apart, the midfielder patrols both defence and midfield to good effect with 112.17 kilometres covered, completing 573 of 624 attempted passes (91%). The former West Ham midfielder’s set piece deliveries is another attacking outlet for the Gunners, with 8 interceptions, 7 crucial blocks, and 21 chances created propelling the central midfielder as a Ballon d’Or candidate. Leading Arsenal to victory would increase the likelihood of taking the golden ball from Dembele.
