Michael Owen backs Arsenal to beat PSG in 2026 UEFA Champions League final in Budapest

Former England international Michael Owen has predicted that Arsenal can defeat Paris Saint-Germain when the two sides meet in the 2026 UEFA Champions League final, arguing that PSG will be ill-equipped to handle the specific demands Arsenal’s style of play presents.

The final is scheduled to take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, May 30, 2026 — a fixture that offers Arsenal the opportunity to cap an already historic domestic season. The club recently secured their first Premier League title in 22 years, confirmed after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. A Champions League triumph would represent an unprecedented league and European double for the club.

Speaking in an interview with the Premier League, Owen acknowledged that PSG likely hold an edge in technical quality and attacking creativity, but suggested those attributes may not be sufficient to neutralise what Arsenal bring to the encounter. “They’ve got a chance! I think PSG are a better team, but I tell you what, they won’t have come up against anything like this Arsenal team,” the former striker said.

Owen, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002 and represented Liverpool across a decorated career, pointed to Arsenal’s physical presence, aerial strength, and well-drilled set-piece routines as the areas most likely to cause PSG difficulty. “Once they line up alongside them, see the size of them, once they get a corner and see the blocking and the pushing — PSG won’t be used to marking players like that, being bombarded like that, they won’t know what’s hit them!” he explained.

The pundit was also clear about where he believes Arsenal’s best tactical opportunity lies, stressing the importance of limiting PSG’s own set-piece opportunities. “They need to not give any set-plays away, that’s Arsenal’s best chance, especially against PSG,” Owen added.

PSG claimed the Ligue 1 title this season and arrive in Budapest as many analysts’ favourites, having demonstrated considerable quality across their European campaign. Arsenal, meanwhile, have navigated their path to the final under Mikel Arteta and will become only the second English club to reach the Champions League final since Liverpool’s appearance in 2019 should the occasion proceed as currently scheduled.

The Budapest showpiece will be the first Champions League final held in Hungary and represents a significant moment for European football infrastructure, with the Puskás Aréna having a capacity of approximately 67,000. Kick-off arrangements and broadcast details are yet to be formally confirmed by UEFA ahead of the May 30 date.