Former Super Eagles forward Nwankwo Kanu has shared his thoughts on Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, Soccernet.ng reports.
This weekend marks the end of the European club season as the two best teams in the Champions League face off in the final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
Arsenal head into the clash full of confidence after they were recently crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years. The Gunners are also unbeaten in Europe this season, overcoming several top sides on their way to reaching their first Champions League final in 20 years.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are the defending champions following their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in last year’s final. The French side have also recorded big wins over the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool in the knockout stages and will be looking to add Arsenal to their list of victims in the final.
Kanu: How Arsenal can win UCL ahead of PSG
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain meet again for the second straight season, after both sides also clashed at the semi-final stage of last year’s competition. PSG edged that tie over two legs on their way to winning their first-ever Champions League title.
This time, the North London club are aiming for revenge as they chase their own first-ever triumph in the competition, having come closest in 2006 when they reached the final before losing to Barcelona.
Speaking in an interview, former Arsenal and Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu believes winning the Premier League has given Arsenal the confidence needed to go all the way in Europe.
“I told my friends that last season, we were struggling against Manchester City, and they went on to win the league. But this season, the table changed, and we have come out on top to win the Premier League title”, the 1995 UCL winner said, via Flashscore.
“In the same way, PSG won the Champions League last year, but I truly believe that this season it will be Arsenal’s turn to go all the way and lift the trophy, making it a historic year for the club.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has built a team that is solid and tactically disciplined, which has made them one of the strongest defensive sides in Europe and Kanu also believes this mentality is a major factor that could push them past PSG in the final.
“Last season is completely different from this one. If you look at our Champions League run, we haven’t lost a single game, and reaching the final on that record gives us real belief that we can go all the way.
“Some may call it revenge, but for us, it is about proving ourselves and finishing the job. We really need it, and with this mentality, we are confident we can definitely get it done”, the former Nigerian forward concluded.
Arsenal and PSG will go head-to-head at the Puskás Arena on Saturday, with the Premier League champions hoping to win their first Champions League title and a victory would cement Mikel Arteta and the players’ names in Arsenal history.
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