Budapest awaits, Arteta 90 minutes from immortality

Champions League final: Saturday in Budapest

This is it. The biggest match in Arsenal's modern history. You face PSG in the Champions League final on Saturday at 13:00 Brasília time, with the game staged in Budapest.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin confirmed the early kick-off is designed to make the final "more accessible, inclusive and impactful for everyone involved" (1). Every Arsenal fan on the planet will be watching.

Mikel Arteta has already delivered the Premier League title. Now he stands 90 minutes from immortality. Ian Wright believes a Champions League win would make Arteta the greatest Arsenal manager of all time (10). That is the scale of the moment.

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Arteta's title recognised with individual honours

Arteta is expected to receive individual recognition after ending the 22-year wait for a league title (3). The Premier League trophy already sits in north London. Manager of the Season feels like a formality.

Rooney has named an Arsenal player as the signing of the season (7). The recognition keeps coming, and it reflects what you have watched all year: a team built to dominate.

Hein departs permanently for Werder Bremen

Karl Hein has completed a permanent move to Werder Bremen after his loan spell (2). The goalkeeper leaves with the best wishes of the club. One to follow from afar.

Transfer talk: Tonali, Alvarez, Fernandes

The rumour mill is spinning. Arsenal are reportedly trying to wreck Manchester United's pursuit of Sandro Tonali (4). Expect pushback from Old Trafford on that one.

Julian Alvarez is also being linked with a move to the Emirates (12). A proven goalscorer who knows what it takes to win at the highest level. One to watch.

PSG are now competing with Arsenal for relegated Premier League midfielder Mateus Fernandes (8). West Ham's drop has opened the door, but you have competition from Saturday's opponents off the pitch as well as on it.

Galatasaray are also monitoring an Arsenal-owned young attacker who spent the second half of the season on loan at Marseille (6). Interest is building across Europe.

What PSG are saying

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia spoke ahead of the final: "I understood that without your team you are nothing" (9). A reminder that PSG's star winger knows this is a collective test, not an individual showcase. French media see PSG as dominant against English clubs, but Arsenal fans are backing an upset (11).

Fan-reaktioner

The vibes are immaculate. One fan posted that the gap in expected goals conceded between Arsenal and City is wider than the gap between City and 19th-placed West Ham (15.91 vs 15.43), a stat that sums up the defensive dominance of your title season. Read the full thread here. Meanwhile, a tribute to the man who built the foundation and stadium is doing the rounds, and Arteta's own words, "the power of WE," are being shared everywhere. This fanbase knows exactly who built this moment, and nobody is forgetting it.

Sources

  • 1. ge.globo.com — Final da Champions League: entenda por que a Uefa mudou o horário do jogo em Budapeste
  • 2. justarsenal.com — Arsenal confirm loaned out player has left on a permanent move
  • 3. justarsenal.com — Arteta given recognition as celebrations continue at Arsenal
  • 4. thepeoplesperson.com — Arsenal are desperately trying to wreck United’s big-money raid for Carrick’s top summer target - report
  • 6. fotomac.com.tr — Galatasaray'dan Arsenal'ın genç yıldızına kanca!
  • 7. justarsenal.com — Rooney names Arsenal man as the signing of the season in the league
  • 8. justarsenal.com — PSG joins Arsenal in the race for relegated Premier League star
  • 9. canal-supporters.com — Kvaratskhelia : « J’ai compris que sans ton équipe tu n’es rien »
  • 10. justarsenal.com — Former Gunner believes Arteta could become the greatest Arsenal manager
  • 11. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Ligue des champions: Bourreau des clubs anglais, comment le PSG est vu outre-Manche?
  • 12. bbc.com — Spurs rekindle Savinho interest - Tuesday's gossip
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