At least you won the league, gooners

Arsenal have the Premier League in the bag and that trophy monkey is off their back, but dreams of continental glory might have to wait for another season as they take on the reigning European champions on Saturday evening, according to Peter Crouch – here’s his Champions League final Bet Builder for PSG v Arsenal featuring two player shots bets – did you know hitting the woodwork now counts as a shot on target? You do now.

PSG to lift the cup
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to have 1+ shots on target including woodwork
Bukayo Saka to have 1+ shots on target including woodwork
Marquinhos to commit 1+ fouls

A Bet Builder on these selections pays at approximately 7/2 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP

WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 5pm
WHERE: Puskas Arena, Budapest
WATCH: TNT Sport 1

If I’m an Arsenal player going into this game I’m thinking the pressure is really off. Let’s go an enjoy a Champions League final now – so many people PSG are going to win whoever they play against, we’ve won the Premier League this season and got that trophy monkey off our backs. 

People can’t give them stick about not getting over the line anymore.

What an opportunity it is to play against this great side where no one really fancies you that much. It’s a one-off game and anything can happen. Enjoy it.

They might’ve got on the easier side of the draw, but they’re unbeaten so far in Europe this season and won all eight games in the league phase, so they fully deserve to be there too.

I don’t expect them to try to take them on like Bayern did in the semi-final though – there won’t be any kind of Munich style to Arsenal’s approach. They tried to beat Paris at their own game and pushed them close while giving us some of the best football we’ve ever seen.

Arsenal aren’t going to try that in the final. We know their strength is defensive. They have two of the best centre-halves in the world, they’re strong at full-back, and they can get about people in midfield. 

If anyone in world football can beat this Paris team, it’s Arsenal. With all their fire power we know PSG will create chances, but Mikel Arteta’s side has shown they can frustrate opponents, they can waste time, they can get under their skin, and a few set-pieces can make it very edgy.

Keep a clean-sheet, nick a goal and they could be European champions. That’s got to be the gameplan.

My feeling on the game is that it’ll either be that kind of nervy, tight affair and Arsenal edge it, or PSG get ahead and then win it comfortably. 

That’d make it two European titles in a row for Paris. Luis Enrique has made such a difference there. He won’t have anyone in the team if they won’t put a shift in. 

Defensively, they all want to work hard for each other and are really aggressive. You’d wonder how they can have lost Mbappe, Messi and Neymar and then won the Champions League, but it shows that if you’re not working in a team system you won’t win things.

And obviously they can attack you from all angles. They have the Ballon d’Or in Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doué as well, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the key for me. He’s the one that can turn them from the edge of their box to the other box in seconds. I love watching him.

Vitinha as well in midfield makes them tick. It’s a huge battle in there, Declan Rice will have to get a hold of him as he’s such a talented player. And the full-backs are big threats too.

PSG to Lift the Cup

It all means have to side with PSG. They are class team and have monsters in every position on the pitch. I think they get ahead at some stage and they won’t look back if they do.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to have 1+ shots on target including woodwork

I’d expect him to score if PSG win. He’s blown up the Champions League this season and a shot on target should be nailed on in the final.

Bukayo Saka to have 1+ shots on target including woodwork

He’s made a huge difference since returning from injury. You’d hope that continues into the World Cup for England too. We’ve seen him create and score in the final weeks of the Premier League, and a shot on target seems a decent shout.

Marquinhos to commit 1+ fouls

He’s the PSG captain, he’s not afraid to throw himself into anything and had five fouls across the two semi-final games.

Crouchy’s Shouts the Champions League Final

PSG to lift the cup
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to have 1+ shots on target including woodwork
Bukayo Saka to have 1+ shots on target including woodwork
Marquinhos to commit 1+ fouls

A Bet Builder on these selections pays at approximately 7/2 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP

*All odds quoted are correct at time of publication but subject to change

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