Instead of defending stubbornly, this is how Arsenal can overthrow PSG.

PSG are considered the favorites, but they are not perfect. Arsenal, with their high-pressure pressing, exploiting the left flank, and tenacious defending, have a real chance to cause an upset.

In theory, PSG entered the final looking like a nearly perfect machine. They were the reigning Champions League champions, continued to dominate the domestic league, and possessed an attack considered one of the most formidable in Europe.

Looking at those numbers, PSG clearly have many reasons to be considered the stronger contender. But Arsenal also have some noteworthy facts of their own.

They are the only undefeated team in this season's Champions League and previously topped the qualifying round with an eight-match winning streak, while PSG suffered two defeats and finished only 11th.

But to dethrone the reigning champions, Arsenal also need to play the game of a lifetime. Naturally, any chance of success must stem from a superb defensive performance to neutralize the star-studded attack of the Parisian club.

High-level pressing

If Arsenal win, many will quickly predict it will be a victory by a minimal margin and possibly accompanied by a clean sheet.

Arsenal have demonstrated excellent defensive capabilities in the Champions League this season. Photo: Sky Sports.

Ultimately, no team in the top five European leagues has won more matches with a 1-0 scoreline across all competitions this season than Arsenal, with 11 wins.

However, no matter how excellent Arsenal's defense is, stopping the trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains a task few opponents can accomplish.

PSG only needs one more goal in the Champions League to equal Barcelona's record of 45 goals in a single season, set in the 1999/2000 season. Across all competitions, the Parisian club has scored in all of their last 27 matches, netting a total of 62 goals, an incredible average of 2.24 goals per game.

Many of Arsenal's opponents in that series were not on the same level. However, it's worth remembering that PSG still scored 4 goals against Liverpool over two legs, ripped through Chelsea with 8 goals, and showcased devastating attacking football against Bayern Munich with 5 goals.

Last season, Inter also went into the match with a defensive mindset at all costs. And the result was a disastrous defeat.

Arsenal probably need to prepare themselves mentally for the fact that PSG will score sooner or later, and therefore, they will be forced to take the initiative in launching attacks.

Arsenal's attacking style of play is perhaps not too surprising, given their approach in their away match at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

On that day, the Gunners pressed high up the pitch, creating a total of 474 instances of pressure on the opposition – the highest number in a single Premier League match this season.

Mikel Arteta's team never dropped deep at any point, and it was Kai Havertz's high-pressing efforts that resulted in the only goal of the match.

In fact, this pressing style of play is even more effective given PSG's tendency to make mistakes. The reigning European champions have made the most errors leading to opponents' shots on goal in this season's Champions League (26 errors) and also lead in the number of errors directly leading to goals conceded (6 errors).

"Death ball" weapon

Arsenal's ability to capitalize on set pieces is perhaps beyond question. Under Nicolas Jover, Arteta has transformed Arsenal into the most dangerous team in England in set-piece situations. Kai Havertz's header against Burnley was the 18th goal from a corner kick this season, setting a Premier League record.

Arsenal are the most dangerous team in England in set-piece situations. Photo: Opta.

In total, Arsenal scored 24 goals from set pieces, excluding penalties. That number reflects the level of meticulous preparation by Arteta and his coaching staff.

While this isn't a major weakness for PSG, the French team certainly needs to be wary of this weapon from the English side.

This season, only five teams in Ligue 1 have a higher percentage of goals conceded from set pieces than PSG (20.7%), and clearly they have never faced a corner-kick machine as formidable as Arsenal.

Aside from set pieces, there's still a weakness in PSG that Arsenal can exploit. With Achraf Hakimi, PSG possesses one of the best attacking right-backs in the world , and he's always encouraged to push forward at every opportunity.

However, that leaves a huge gap behind. Of the 36 teams participating in this season's Champions League, only PSV and Chelsea conceded more attacking opportunities on the right flank than PSG (37.3%).

Both Spurs and Chelsea have scored against PSG away from home using these types of attacks down the flanks and crosses across the face of the goal.

Meanwhile, Luis Díaz's spectacular goal for Bayern at Parc des Princes in the semi-final also came from a burst of speed that weaved behind the PSG defense, with Hakimi making no attempt to retreat and cover.

Of the 36 teams participating in this season's Champions League, only PSV and Chelsea conceded more attacking opportunities on the right flank than PSG (37.3%). Photo: Opta.

This makes Arsenal's left flank, along with the right-back position, perhaps the most contentious. In most important matches, Leandro Trossard is the player of choice.

However, to exploit the space left by Hakimi, the direct bursts of speed and blistering pace of a player like Gabriel Martinelli would be far more effective.

However, no matter how brilliant Arsenal have been this season, the harsh truth is that they will face a real mountain. PSG are aiming for a double Champions League title in a row, while Arsenal have lost all four of their most recent major European cup finals.

The English representatives will need to perform flawlessly from the front to the back if they want to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time. However, their chances are not insignificant. PSG have critical weaknesses, and Arsenal's squad possesses more than enough sharp weapons to punish them.

Source: https://znews.vn/khong-phai-tu-thu-day-moi-la-cach-de-arsenal-lat-do-psg-post1655468.html