Jens Lehmann exclusive: 'I'm backing Arsenal to beat PSG in the Champions League final - here's why'

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Evening Standard

·29 May 2026

Jens Lehmann exclusive: 'I'm backing Arsenal to beat PSG in the Champions League final - here's why'

Legendary Invincibles shot-stopper explains his thought process after backing Gunners to get the job done in Budapest

Jens Lehmann believes that Arsenal will beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

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Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 20 years with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid earlier this month, while reigning champions PSG secured a 6-5 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich to set up a showpiece final with Mikel Arteta’s men in Budapest.

It will be the first time that Arsenal have contested the final of Europe’s premier cup competition since Barcelona scored twice in the final 14 minutes to beat Arsene Wenger’s 10-man Gunners 2-1 in Paris in 2006.

That game was best remembered for Lehmann’s 18th-minute red card, which saw him become the first and to date only goalkeeper to be sent off in a Champions League final.

Speaking about the incident, Lehmann expressed regret and said Arsenal had been the better team until his dismissal for bringing down Samuel Eto'o.

“We played well until then (the red card),” Lehmann exclusively told Standard Sport, speaking at Baller League.

Jens Lehamann’s dismissal was a pivotal moment as Arsenal lost the 2006 Champions League final

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

“It was a free ball, and I tried to get it, and yeah, Eto’o was really fast and got in front of me, and that is why we could not win the game.”

Asked what Wenger had said to him at half-time, Lehmann added: “In such a situation, there are not a lot of words to be exchanged.”

PSG are considered favourites to lift their second successive Champions League title this weekend after overcoming Bayern in a rip-roaring semi-final clash.

Lehmann, though, is upbeat about Arsenal’s chances and says their defensive solidity - they have nine clean sheets in the Champions League this season - will see them over the line against PSG.

“I think they will win it,” Lehmann continued.

Not a lot of words: Arsene Wenger had little to say after Jens Lehmann was sent off against Barcelona

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“Because it's the only team that has not lost a single game.

“But I remember, from my own time (2006), we had not lost a game, we had not conceded a single goal.

“So, in the final, everything can happen. (But) I think Arsenal is the most solid team in terms of defending.”

David Raya has been central to Arsenal’s success this season, winning the Golden Glove for the second year running as they lifted their first Premier League title in 22 years last weekend.

The Spaniard has developed into one of Europe’s best goalkeepers since signing from Brentford in 2023.

The best goalkeeper in the world, though?

“Of course not,” Lehmann quipped.

“When you're the best goalkeeper in the world, you should not have any weaknesses.”