Journalist Tuan Cuong: "Don't be surprised if Arsenal suffers a heavy defeat to PSG"

Almost a year ago (June 1, 2025), few thought Inter Milan could suffer a crushing 0-5 loss to PSG in the Champions League final. But that unthinkable script became reality.

Arsenal could fall into the same trap as Inter Milan.

At that time, Inter entered the final as a seasoned, highly resilient and well-organized team, among the best in Europe. They conceded the fewest goals in the group stage with only one goal against in eight matches, and had shut down many strong opponents on their path to the final. Many believed that their grit and experience would help the Serie A side at least drag PSG into a nerve-wracking contest.

In the end, Inter was crushed in just over 90 minutes.

That is the biggest warning ahead of the showdown between PSG and Arsenal: in modern football, especially in a Champions League final, the distance between a "narrow loss" and a "total collapse" is sometimes just a few moments. And honestly, it would not be surprising if Arsenal suffers a heavy defeat to PSG.

PSG now is far more fearsome than the typical image of a European champion. They are no longer a team relying on the inspiration of superstars like in the era of Messi, Neymar, or Mbappe. Under Luis Enrique, the French side has become a well-organized machine, rich in speed and extremely ruthless when opponents expose gaps.

This is what should worry Arsenal the most. PSG now does not need dominant possession to win. They can play slow and patient, then use just 10 explosive minutes to finish the game. Inter Milan experienced that in the most painful way. And Arsenal is at risk of falling into the same trap.

The problem is that Mikel Arteta's Arsenal is not a team good at enduring pressure. They thrive when playing at their own rhythm: high pressing, ball control, pushing up the formation and applying constant pressure. But against PSG, that approach is like a huge gamble.

Because PSG possesses the most dangerous weapon in the Champions League right now: transition ability. As soon as Arsenal loses the ball in midfield, everything can collapse in seconds. Ousmane Dembele is playing the best football of his career, no longer the erratic, improvisational player he used to be. He is now a blade that can pierce any defense with speed, directness, and constant ability to create breakthroughs.

On the opposite flank, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia brings genuine chaos. One-on-one, he can eliminate a defender with just a few touches. If Arsenal pushes up their formation as usual, they will face huge gaps behind them.

That is why Wesley Sneijder's assessment, though harsh, is not unreasonable: this match could easily end 3-0 or 4-0 for PSG. Sounds extreme? Possibly. But a year ago, people also thought Inter Milan would never lose 0-5 in a Champions League final.

Another concern for Arsenal lies in their physical condition. PSG had nearly two weeks of perfect preparation for the final due to the schedule in France, while Arsenal had to fight hard until the final rounds of the Premier League. One team enters the match with fresh legs, the other carries the wear and tear of a grueling season. That is a huge difference at the highest level.

Champions League finals often do not follow normal logic. Some matches are locked tight for 90 minutes. But there are also matches where just one first goal causes the entire tactical structure to collapse.

PSG now is exactly the type of team that can create that domino effect. The more they lead, the more dangerous they become. The more space they have, the more terrifying they are. And once the opponent is forced to push forward to find an equalizer, PSG almost becomes an uncontrollable counter-attacking whirlwind.

Arsenal is certainly not weak. They are even capable of producing a balanced final if they maintain absolute composure. But the problem is that PSG now does not give opponents much leeway for mistakes. Just one moment of losing control, and everything can slip away very quickly.

Inter Milan once thought they had enough grit to stand firm against PSG. Then the scoreboard showed 0-5.

What about Arsenal?