Arsenal will have watched Paris Saint-Germain’s demolition of Bayern Munich with uneasy familiarity. The script — an early onslaught, a swift Ousmane Dembélé strike and a composed, clinical performance on the road — echoed the way PSG dismantled Arsenal in last season’s latter stages, a run that ended with the European Cup.
That memory is the context for Mikel Arteta: Paris have shown they can arrive at a final in ruthless form. At the Allianz, Luis Enrique’s team struck with their first meaningful move — a slick, rehearsed break down the left — and then largely controlled the tie. Dembélé, the game’s early scorer and a Ballon d’Or winner, led an attack that also featured Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, both elevated versions of their previous selves.
PSG’s midfield balance underpinned that dominance. Fabián Ruiz led the side for ball recoveries, João Neves completed the joint-most tackles and Vitinha was one of the chief creators. Warren Zaire-Emery’s breakthrough season has made selection competitive; even when pressed into unfamiliar duty — Zaire-Emery filled in at right-back after Achraf Hakimi’s injury — the side maintained tactical cohesion and maturity.
Kvaratskhelia was particularly influential. He completed six dribbles from six attempts, won 11 duels, made six recoveries and provided the pass for the decisive goal — an all-round display that explains the transfer links to Arsenal and why stopping him will be a major challenge. PSG’s front three have driven a remarkable European campaign: 44 goals so far, just one short of Barcelona’s 2000 record.
Defensively, PSG were disciplined. Marquinhos and Willian Pacho did a solid job containing Harry Kane, while Nuno Mendes — despite an early booking — won nine duels and largely neutralised Michael Olise’s impact. Bayern, prolific in recent weeks, were restricted to a single goal from Kane that felt, in context, more a consolation than a corrective.
Arsenal still have reason for optimism. They remain the only unbeaten side left in this season’s Champions League and have kept nine clean sheets in 14 matches — a defensive return that can legitimately match PSG’s attacking firepower. If Arsenal lift the domestic title before Budapest, they could arrive at the final with momentum and belief on their side.
One notable difference from last season is the absence of Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG’s roster after his move to Manchester City — a detail many Arsenal fans will recall from last year’s debates about whether different goalkeeping might have altered the outcome. The Budapest final offers a fresh opportunity to test that theory.
Ultimately this shapes up as a clash of extremes: arguably the tournament’s most potent attack against one of its most resilient defences. PSG’s statement at the Allianz is a clear reminder to Arteta and his players: they must be ready for a high-octane, uncompromising challenge if they are to avoid history repeating itself.