Paris Saint-Germain intensifies preparations for Arsenal’s set-pieces ahead of the Champions League final. Training footage reveals the extreme measures the French club takes to counter the Premier League leaders’ aerial threats.
Champions League Final Showdown
PSG, the defending champions, face Arsenal in the Champions League final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on May 30. PSG advanced after a thrilling 6-5 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich, while Arsenal secured their spot with a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.
With just over two weeks until kickoff, Luis Enrique’s squad drills relentlessly against Mikel Arteta’s side, focusing on the Gunners’ set-piece dominance that has fueled their title charge.
Goalkeepers Simulate Physical Battles
Arsenal excels from corners and free-kicks, a key factor in their campaigns. The Gunners aim to exploit these opportunities for their first European trophy.
Training sessions demonstrate PSG’s countermeasures. Goalkeepers employ rugby-style crash pads to mimic Arsenal’s physicality, evident in their recent 1-0 win over West Ham United.
Footage captures Matvei Safonov, who started both legs against Bayern, pushing teammates as they claim crosses and block shots, building resilience for the final.
Expert Backs Arsenal’s Edge
Arsenal, yet to claim the Champions League, stands one match from glory. Former winner Rio Ferdinand predicts a Gunners triumph, highlighting their set-piece superiority.
He points to PSG’s vulnerabilities exposed by Bayern and anticipates chaos. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand stated: “They look uncomfortable at set-pieces. Even Bayern Munich, who aren’t great at set-pieces, made them look uncomfortable, and I’ve seen it many times this season. They’re the best team in the Premier League at set-pieces, and if they get set-pieces, free-kicks, and corners, they are going to cause absolute carnage against that small PSG team.”
Ferdinand added: “Physically, at set-pieces, PSG cannot compete with Arsenal, and if Arsenal get any type of possession and any type of free-kicks around the box, or even the halfway line, they’re going to cause damage.”
