Ian Wright made a bold statement this week declaring Mikel Arteta will surpass Arsene Wenger as Arsenal’s greatest ever manager if he beats PSG in Saturday’s Champions League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Arsenal face defending champions PSG on May 30 chasing their first European Cup title after 20 years of waiting since the 2006 final defeat to Barcelona.

Arteta won the Premier League title last weekend and now stands 90 minutes from completing the most ambitious double in the club’s history.

The Wright Assessment Holds Weight

Wright’s logic is straightforward. Wenger built the Invincibles, transformed English football and secured three Premier League titles, but never won the Champions League despite reaching the 2006 final. Arteta has now claimed the Premier League title, three FA Cups and two Community Shields.

A Champions League trophy places him above everyone who preceded him. That is an uncomfortable truth for those who worship Wenger’s legacy, but it is factually correct and Wright, who played under Wenger, understands exactly what he is saying.

Arsenal’s Budapest Opportunity

Arsenal remain unbeaten across 14 Champions League matches this season after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Arteta rotated heavily during Sunday’s trophy ceremony against Crystal Palace, protecting Declan Rice, Odegaard and Saka ahead of Budapest. Jurrien Timber and Ben White face fitness assessments with Cristhian Mosquera likely covering at right-back against Kvaratskhelia.

PSG are slight bookmaker favourites but the Opta supercomputer gives Arsenal a 54.6 per cent win probability. PSG beat Inter 5-0 in last season’s final as defending champions. This will not be that straightforward.

Conviction From the Manager

Arteta told Sky Sports he is convinced Arsenal will win Saturday’s final. After two decades of waiting, one Premier League title and now a Champions League final, the conviction feels earned.

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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is preparing an aggressive transfer approach for Julian Alvarez after the Argentine confirmed his desire to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.

Alvarez’s representatives reiterated his exit wish to Atletico on May 25, triggering a scramble involving Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG. Atletico demand £130 million for the 26-year-old World Cup winner who has scored 48 goals in 104 appearances since joining from Manchester City for £82 million in 2024.

The Arsenal Case is Compelling

Berta knows Alvarez personally, having overseen his Atletico move from City. That relationship matters enormously in modern football transfers. Arsenal need a forward desperately. Viktor Gyokeres cost a fortune and flopped.

The Premier League title demands elite attacking reinforcement heading into a potential dynasty building phase. Alvarez scored 29 goals in 54 appearances this season. He is exactly what Arsenal lack and everyone knows it.

The Complications Are Real

Atletico rejected Barcelona’s approach involving Ferran Torres plus cash without hesitation. Simeone publicly acknowledged Arsenal interest while insisting the decision belongs to Alvarez alone.

The Argentine’s contract runs until 2030, giving Atletico enormous negotiating power. Alvarez reportedly prefers Barcelona if he leaves but the Catalans genuinely cannot afford £130 million in the current financial climate.

PSG potentially could but chose to focus transfer budget elsewhere after their Champions League triumph.

Arsenal Can Win This

Alvarez will only consider returning to England if the club is based in London. Arsenal are the only London option among serious suitors.

That geographical preference combined with Berta’s existing relationship and Premier League champion status makes Arsenal realistic frontrunners despite the enormous fee. Arteta needs a 20 plus goal striker immediately. Alvarez is a 20 plus goal striker. The logic writes itself. Arsenal should spend whatever it takes.

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Arsenal received significant pre-final news on May 25 as PSG confirmed Achraf Hakimi is unlikely to start Saturday’s Champions League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, while Ousmane Dembele’s participation remains uncertain.

Both players missed PSG’s internal 20-minute friendly on Saturday with neither rejoining full team training. Hakimi has been limited to individual sessions since his thigh injury during the Bayern Munich semi-final and is not expected back in group training until Wednesday at the earliest. Three days to prove fitness before a Champions League final is an almost impossible timeline.

The Hakimi Situation Hurts PSG Badly

Hakimi is irreplaceable in Luis Enrique’s system. His right-back runs create width, overloads and goal-scoring opportunities that no other PSG player replicates. Warren Zaire-Emery covering the position would fundamentally alter how PSG attack.

Fabian Ruiz would shift into midfield and the shape becomes completely different. Arsenal know Hakimi’s absence removes PSG’s primary source of right-flank danger and Bukayo Saka could have the space he desperately needs.

Dembele’s Confidence vs Medical Caution

Dembele pulled up with calf tightness against Paris FC and told RMC Sport he is fine and confident of being ready. However, PSG’s medical staff appear more cautious, keeping him in individual sessions rather than risking aggravation before the final. His history of injuries across his career deserves honest acknowledgment here. Dembele has a remarkable ability to predict his own fitness then break down again on the pitch.

Arsenal Must Not Get Distracted

Arteta will tell his players to focus entirely on their own preparation and ignore PSG’s injury updates. That is the correct approach. Arsenal remain unbeaten across 14 Champions League matches this season. Their defensive structure, Declan Rice’s leadership and Saka’s brilliance make them genuine winners regardless of who PSG fields in Budapest.

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