Arsene Wenger makes PSG vs Arsenal prediction amid 'trophy fear' claim

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·7 maggio 2025

Arsene Wenger makes PSG vs Arsenal prediction amid 'trophy fear' claim

Former Gunners manager has had his say ahead of the Champions League decider

Arsene Wenger is "confident" Arsenal have what it takes to beat Paris Saint-Germain and reach the Champions League final.

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The Gunners head to France needing to overturn a first-leg deficit after losing the first leg at home, a feat they have never before achieved in Europe. Ousmane Dembele early strike is the difference ahead of tonight's first leg.

PSG started far the stronger team last week before Arsenal rallied. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were both denied by fine saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola missed gilt-edged chances at the death.

Ahead of the first leg, Wenger spoke of Arsenal's defensive solidity as crucial to reaching the final, and despite his former team needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit, the ex-Gunners manager remains upbeat over their chances.

Wayne Rooney recently said Arsenal have a "psychological fear" of winning trophies, a claim Wenger disagreed with and instead feels Mikel Arteta has built a squad capable of winning tonight and lifting the Champions League trophy later this month.

At some stage you have win it ... and this team is strong enough to win the Champions League or the Premier League

Arsene Wenger

He added: "You need to be inside the group to know that. I don't have that feeling, but we are a few years now where they have been very close, so maybe it has a weight.

"But at some stage you have to get it out, and the best way to get it out is to go out on the pitch and turn up and win a big game, a massive game. Tomorrow they have the opportunity and the players know they have nothing to lose.

"I think the judgement is severe and not deserved.

"But at some stage you have to be there. At some stage you have win it ... and this team is strong enough to win the Champions League or to win the Premier League.

"Unfortunately for them, Liverpool this year was a tough opponent. Nobody would have predicted that Liverpool would make up 15 points difference on the rest of the pack, and so let's see [how Arsenal get on against PSG].

"I'm confident that they can overturn the first leg, and they have the needed quality. But of course, you need to have a great offensive performance, but you need as well to be capable to stop this PSG team, to stop them expressing their talent, which is not easy.

"They are playing at home, they can smell the final and will be difficult to stop."