Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain: Neville backs PSG as favourites

Gary Neville says Arsenal go into the Champions League final as underdogs against Paris Saint Germain, which he calls the best team in Europe right now. He said Mikel Arteta's side will have to “scrap and fight” to win it, and pointed to Luis Enrique as one of the leading coaches in the game.

The final also carries a wider historical edge. Only Manchester United and Manchester City have won the Premier League and Champions League in the same season, and PSG are looking to make it back-to-back European titles. Neville's view is that this is the level Arsenal now have to break through.

Why Neville sees PSG as the stronger side

Neville's praise for PSG was not vague. “I think PSG are the best team in Europe right now. Arsenal are going in as underdogs and have to scrap and fight and get over the line somehow if they're going to win it,” he said.

He also added, “Luis Enrique is probably the greatest manager in the world right now, with Pep Guardiola. This is his moment.” That is a pretty direct way of framing the final: Arsenal have earned their place, but PSG are the side he trusts more in this setting.

The numbers around Arsenal's run show why they will argue back. They have won all 8 of their Champions League matches this season, scored 23 goals and conceded only 4. That is a strong European campaign by any normal measure, which is why the underdog label will not land cleanly with everyone.

Neville's point, though, is about what comes next rather than what Arsenal have already done. The final is against a team he rates above them, and PSG's push for consecutive Champions League titles gives the tie an obvious edge.

Arsenal's title week may help, but the task stays huge

Neville also said Arsenal winning the title four or five days early gave them an extra four or five days of preparation before the final. That is his argument, not a confirmed scheduling fact, but it does suggest he sees a small physical edge in how the week has worked out.

Paul Merson took a more selection-focused route on the same game, saying Jurrien Timber has to play even if he is half-fit. That comes with a clear caution, because the sources say it remains to be seen whether Timber will be fit.

The broad picture is still the same. Arsenal have already delivered a proper European run, but Neville is treating PSG as the stronger final opponent and the more established force in this match-up. That is a fair reading of the stakes, even if Arsenal's record gives them reason to push back on the underdog tag.

If Arsenal do win, it will be against a PSG side Neville believes is ahead of them right now. If they do not, his warning will have been well judged for a final that carries the weight of two clubs trying to prove they belong at the top end of Europe.