William Gallas Warns Arsenal: PSG’s Defensive Evolution Is the Real Threat Ahead of Champions League Final

William Gallas, who captained both Arsenal and Chelsea during his Premier League career, has issued a pointed assessment of the challenges awaiting the Gunners in their UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, cautioning that Luis Enrique’s side have matured into a far more complete outfit than their attacking reputation historically suggests.

Speaking to Get French Football News, Gallas drew particular attention to PSG’s performance in the latter stages of their semi-final against Bayern Munich as evidence of a tactical evolution that Arsenal cannot afford to underestimate. While the first leg at the Parc des Princes ended in a chaotic 5-4 scoreline, the second leg in Germany told an entirely different story.

“They won’t just attack like they did in the first leg against Bayern Munich, where it ended 5-4,” Gallas said. “When they went to Munich, everyone expected a similar result, but no, PSG were very strong and complete.”

For the retired defender, it is precisely this ability to shift between modes — from high-tempo attacking play to disciplined game management — that represents the most significant threat to Arsenal’s ambitions of claiming their first-ever Champions League title.

“The worrying thing for Arsenal is PSG’s last Champions League game. I was very surprised, they have shown everyone they can defend a lead very well. This will worry Arsenal even more,” Gallas observed.

The French club’s transformation this season has been widely noted following the departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. Rather than relying on individual brilliance, PSG have developed a more collective identity under Enrique, a shift that has allowed them to reach their second Champions League final in six years.

Beyond the PSG threat, Gallas also turned his attention to Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, who has been one of the standout defenders in European football this season. While the former captain was generous in his praise, he stopped short of granting Saliba unconditional approval ahead of such a high-stakes occasion.

“William Saliba is fantastic for Arsenal, he’s had a great season. He still makes some silly mistakes, like against Atletico Madrid, and he can still improve,” Gallas cautioned.

Saliba’s error in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid served as a reminder that even elite defenders remain vulnerable to individual lapses, and Gallas suggested that in a one-off final, such moments could prove decisive.

Despite the concerns raised, Gallas acknowledged the inherent unpredictability of knockout football, noting that “anything can happen in one game.” Arsenal, who have never won the UEFA Champions League, will be making their first appearance in the competition’s final, while PSG previously reached the decider in the 2019-20 season, losing to Bayern Munich.

For Mikel Arteta’s side, the challenge is twofold: breaking down a PSG defensive unit that has demonstrated it can absorb pressure at the highest level, while simultaneously ensuring their own backline produces an error-free performance. How both teams manage those competing demands is likely to determine who lifts the trophy.