Journalist Tran Giap: PSG vs Arsenal will be decided by "set pieces"

The 2026 Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal is not merely a contest between the two best teams in Europe this season. It also represents a tactical duel between two contrasting styles of football, orchestrated by Spanish managers Luis Enrique and Mikel Arteta.

The PSG vs Arsenal match will be determined by "set pieces"

According to journalist Tran Giap from the Sports and Culture newspaper, the factor that could decide the silver trophy in Budapest lies not in ball possession or the number of chances created, but in set-piece situations.

"PSG are the kings of open play, while Arsenal are the kings of set pieces. I believe this final will be decided more by dead-ball situations than by open-play combinations," journalist Tran Giap commented.

It is no coincidence that Arsenal are regarded as the team with the most fearsome set-piece weapon in Europe right now. Mikel Arteta's side have scored 28 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, including 19 from corners. These are historic numbers for England's top flight.

More importantly, Arsenal are not only strong at scoring from set pieces but also exceptionally skilled at defending them. Arteta's low-block defensive system is organized almost perfectly, making them one of the hardest teams to break down in the Champions League.

"Arsenal may not have much possession against PSG, but they don't need it. They are ready to cede control, wait for mistakes, and deliver the knockout blow from a corner or free kick. That is Arteta's identity this season," analyzed journalist Tran Giap.

Meanwhile, PSG represent a completely different philosophy. The reigning European champions are the most fearsome attacking machine in the tournament, having scored 43 goals from open play. Luis Enrique's team dominate possession, constantly applying pressure with fast, short combinations through the center and the inside channels.

Dembele and his teammates are not heavily reliant on set pieces. Instead, they create chances through ball circulation, stretching defenses, and exploiting spaces with cutbacks or one-touch combinations.

"PSG will try to turn the match into a battle of possession and tempo. The more the ball is in play, the greater their advantage. But the problem is that Arsenal are very good at making their opponents fall into a state of stagnation," noted journalist Tran Giap.

Notably, PSG also have a weakness that Arsenal will certainly look to exploit. Around 35% of the French side's goals conceded this season have come from set pieces, while their aerial dueling ability is not particularly outstanding.

That is precisely why Bukayo Saka's corners, Martin Odegaard's deliveries, or long throw-ins could become the most dangerous weapons in the final.

"I believe PSG will have more possession, create more chances, and play more attractive attacking football. But the Champions League is not always decided by the team that plays more beautifully. One perfectly executed corner kick can render all possession statistics meaningless," emphasized journalist Tran Giap.

Overall, this is a match between the team with the strongest attack in the Champions League and the team with the most effective defensive system in the competition. One side wants to win through open play, while the other places its faith in the precision of set pieces.

In a balanced final, where every inch of space is closed down and every mistake comes at a heavy price, set-piece moments are often what make history.