Why resolute Arsenal will believe prolific PSG can be beaten in final

They have allowed their opponents an expected goals (xG) of just 0.84 per game, and seven of the past 13 Champions League winners conceded fewer than 1.0 xG per game on average during their successful campaigns. In comparison, PSG's average xGA - expected goals against - in Europe this season is 1.38.

Arsenal have had an easier path to the final, beating Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico, while PSG have overcome Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern to reach the showpiece.

But you can only beat teams in front of you - and Arsenal did so impressively to top the 32-club league phase with eight wins from as many matches, including statement victories over Bayern, Atletico and last season's finalists Inter Milan.

The 14-game unbeaten run they are on is their longest in the competition, overtaking 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 separates the current crop from Arsenal teams of the past.

Onuoha said: "There are definitely reasons for Arsenal to be confident about the final, 100%.

"They know the style PSG have and that if you allow them to overwhelm you, you can really struggle. But Arsenal will have a plan. Obviously they have got the domestic season to figure out as well, but they will definitely have a plan for the Champions League final and they will know they can cause PSG problems as well as keep them out."

"Arsenal have a chance without question - with that defence they have and the goalkeeper, they're brilliant," former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard added: "I know more than anyone else that an underdog can win this final - when we won with Liverpool against AC Milan it was a mismatch.

"Arsenal will play against a high-quality team, against an elite manager. Every player will have to be on the top of their game. They have to use their physicality, size and take PSG where they don't want go - but they certainly have a chance."

'PSG will be more attacking but it's a different Arsenal now'

There is no denying it will take a monumental Arsenal effort againstPSG if they are to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time.

PSG have netted 44 goals in just 16 matches in Europe this season - with six of them coming in the semi-final against Bayern, who themselves scored 43.

Only Barcelona, who scored 45 times in 16 matches in 1999-00, have more in a single season.

One only has to look at last season's final to appreciate how quickly Luis Enrique's PSG side can blow teams away. Inter Milan conceded just once in their eight league-phase matches, but shipped five in one of the most one-sided European finals.

There is also recent history between the two clubs.

The Gunners defeated PSG 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the league phase of last season's competition, but the French side prevailed in the semi-finals, running out 3-1 aggregate winners on their way to clinching their maiden title.

Arsenal will now hope to avenge that heartbreak in perfect fashion in Hungary at Puskas Arena.

"The final will be fascinating," Hargreaves said. "PSG will be more attacking than they were against Bayern, but this is a different Arsenal now.

"They went through a little blip the last few weeks. They believe now. They have a chance. They just have to believe."

"It's interesting the way people have viewed Arsenal in recent weeks - people think the wheels were coming off," former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"But they are a very capable team. Arsenal have a real chance - it can be 50/50 game. Arsenal are capable on their day."

Arteta's side are not shy in front of goal, either. They have 67 goals in 35 Premier League matches - with only Manchester City bettering their record in the English top flight with 69 in 34 games.

Of course, having the best defence is not a guarantee of success in the Champions League.

According to Opta, only Bayern Munich - in 2019-20 with a per-game xGA of 0.62 - and Manchester City - in 2022-23 with a per-game xGA of 0.81 - have won the competition while boasting the season's best xGA record since 2013-14.

But what it offers Arsenal and Arteta is a solid platform to build on, against what will be a formidable challenge in the Hungarian capital.

'Arsenal can win just by defending' - your views

Nicholas, Belfast: Am I the only Arsenal fan who thinks we can beat PSG? Watching the game in my retro jersey, booking flights to Budapest.

Jaime, Birmingham: Who says a goalfest is better then good defending? I think Arsenal can win the Champions League just by defending.

Joseph, Southampton: Arsenal have a better defensive record than PSG. Arsenal can defend, the problem is scoring goals.

Ki, London: Arsenal aren't winning. From the start, I said PSG to win. They surely are favourites.

Tim, Chesham: Arsenal can only beat what's in front of them but I can't think of an easier sequence of knockout matches to reach the final.

Josh, France: People as always are very quick to discredit Arsenal. They are in the final for a reason, semis last year, quarters the year before - this isn't some fluke.

Figure caption,

Arteta pays tribute to Arsenal players & fans after 'incredible night'

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.