Arsenal have won their first Premier League title in 22 years and now they are in their first Champions League final in 20 years, where they face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG mauled Inter Milan 5-0 last year to lift the trophy and are favourites against Mikel Arteta’s side, having won both legs of their semi-final against them last season. But this is a different Arsenal side and there is optimism the Gunners can go one better than when they were beaten by Barcelona in the 2006 showpiece.
The match kicks off at 5pm UK time in Budapest. Follow the Mirror Football live blog for all the build-up, team news, predictions and atmosphere from the Hungarian capital.
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostView PostToday16:10 BST
Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos says the team want to establish themselves as one of the best in history by winning back-to-back Champions League finals.
“It’s a source of motivation for us,” he said yesterday. “We have already gone down in history books as one of the best teams in the world.
“We showed exactly what a good team we are and now we’re coming into a second Champions League final and the motivation is even higher.
“Arsenal are a very good team and the job Arteta has done has been brilliant because it is so hard to win the Premier League. But we are highly motivated and just as hungry as players to win again.”
Felix KeithToday16:07 BST
Here’s the scene inside the Arsenal dressing room just under an hour ahead of kick off.
The Arsenal dressing room at the Puskas Arena ahead of the Champions League final(Image: Getty Images)
Here’s the man aiming to make it back-to-back Champions League titles for PSG…
Luis Enrique arrives at the Puskas Arena(Image: Getty Images)
And here’s the side that PSG have named:
PSG XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Fabian, Joao Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Daniel OrmeToday15:45 BST
Well, with an hour and 15 minutes to go until kick-off, we’ve got the confirmed line-ups from the Puskas Arena. Here’s how Arsenal are set to take the pitch.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Ødegaard, Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Jurrien Timber has been named on the bench.
Daniel OrmeToday15:39 BST
There are three key decisions for Mikel Arteta to make with his starting XI tonight, as our chief football writer John Cross has explained.
Does Jurrien Timber come straight back into the side at right-back, or is Cristhian Mosquera trusted to deputise?
Should Myles Lewis-Skelly continue in central midfield, or does Martin Zubimendi return?
And will Kai Havertz play ahead of Viktor Gyokeres up front?
John Cross’ predicted Arsenal line-up: David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Ödegaard, Leandro Trossard; Kai Havertz.
Kai Havertz is in contention to start(Image: Kevin Voigt/Getty Images)
A group of Arsenal fans clashed with Paris Saint-Germain supporters in downtown Budapest on the eve of Saturday’s Champions League final. Video footage was posted online of a fight breaking out on Kiraly Street in the Hungarian capital.
Fans could seen throwing punches and kicking each other, while flares were also thrown in the violent scenes. A police spokesperson said that officers are investigating ‘group disorder’ and working to identify the individuals involved.
Daniel OrmeToday15:34 BST
I wonder how the Arsenal players are feeling as they arrive at the Puskas Arena…
Mikel Arteta arrives at the Puskas Arena(Image: Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka arrives at the Puskas Arena(Image: Getty Images)
Ousmane Dembele has been a fitness worry for PSG but the Ballon d’Or winner insists he is ready to go.
He said: “I am 100 per cent ready. I did have a little problem but we are ready now because I had 10 or 15 days to prepare and get myself in great shape again.”
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal had been sweating over the availability of key defender Jurrien Timber, who has been missing since picking up a groin injury in March.
The worry intensified when Ben White also picked up an injury, leaving Cristhian Mosquera to fill in at right-back.
But Timber trained with the squad in the Puskas Arena last night and is expected to start at right-back against PSG, while winger Noni Madueke is also fully fit after an injury scare last weekend.
Jurrien Timber has recovered from an injury(Image: Gao Meng/VCG via Getty Images)
Arsenal fans are ready to celebrate what would be a historic afternoon for the club.
Arsenal fans at the Puksas Arena(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal fans ahead of the Champions League final(Image: Getty Images)
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Mirror Football’s coverage of the Champions League final.
Arsenal are set to take on French giants Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
Make sure you stay tuned for all of the build-up, coverage and reaction.