'Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal will be a flip of a coin': Ex-India striker Robin Singh

After conquering the English throne, Arsenal have their sights set on the European crown, but they will have to dislodge the defending champions, PSG, who are looking as strong as ever. The two teams will meet in a mouthwatering UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday in a rematch of last year's semi-final, where PSG had eliminated Arsenal.

Both teams have won their respective leagues at home, making it the first final between two domestic champions since the 2019-20 season. PSG are a goal-scoring machine, while Arsenal, who are aiming to win their first UCL title, are a solid unit who are yet to lose a match in Europe this season.

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As the two titans clash, who has the edge? Former India striker Robin Singh believes it is set to be a "cagey affair". In an exclusive interaction with Firstpost ahead of the final, he talked about the two teams, what makes them so good and ultimately who will have an edge going into the final.

Excerpts below...

Let's start with the easy question. Who is going to win?

Robin Singh: I think it's a flip of a coin. When you look at PSG, they've got massive firepower. When you look at Arsenal, they've got one of the best defensive records in the league. When you speak about PSG, you're looking at, in my opinion, the best front three that the Champions League has seen. But that comes with a stipulation of having a defense that's very fragile. So, I think it could go any way. For PSG to win this game, they have to score first.

Because if they let Arsenal score, then it could be a tie that we very well know. This season's Arsenal they are a team that you can bank on winning the game with a 1-0 scoreline. So honestly, it's about who scores first and the tie could flip their way.

READ | Dembele’s reaction to substitution shows how Enrique built PSG on a team-first mentality

So, you are backing Arsenal to win?

Robin Singh: No, I'm going to back PSG, 'Strikers Union'. From a neutral perspective, I love seeing goals. And I think for me, (Khvicha) Kvaratskhelia has been in the best form. If he played for any other nation, if not Georgia, you would have probably given him the Ballon d'Or as well.

You talked about PSG being so good with their attack. A lot of Indian fans who follow Arsenal very closely in Premier League, do not really focus on PSG in Ligue 1. Could you just explain what PSG and Luis Enrique are doing right to become this consistent?

Robin Singh: I think Luis Enrique, in general, a lot of people know for whatever he's achieved and where all the places he's coached. When you look at Luis Enrique at PSG, he's gone from the Galacticos of the French Ligue 1 to a team that is so cohesive that they're a force to reckon with in Europe.

For Ligue 1, a lot of people turn around and say it's not the biggest league in the world. But at the same time, you're also looking at a team that does not prepare for the French League. And the Bayern Munich game is an example of exactly that. It's an example where Luis Enrique is creating a team that believes in possession with a purpose. It's not tiki-taka for his own sake. He wants to move the ball to be able to move the opponent, pull them out of shape, and then attack with lightning speed.

Because you've got Ousmane Dembele, you've got Desire Doue, you've got Kvaratskhelia. So, this PSG under Luis Enrique is a team that is possession with purpose. And beating Bayern this season and being Champions League winners is a prime example of the shift from the Neymars and Messis to the forward-moving Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, and also Doue at the moment.

And the intelligence of Luis Enrique is that he can also shapeshift his team in the middle of the game.

PSG's forward line is great but Arsenal too have a strong unit and they are also very dangerous with set-pieces. How do you think this matches up with PSG's defence?

Robin Singh: I think that is where they can hurt them. I said this yesterday as well, on a Hot Take that PSG can score more, but Arsenal can hurt them from set pieces. That's where I think PSG is a bit fragile or a bit weak because you've got somebody like a Gabriel, (William) Saliba, and (Victor) Gyokeres who are genuinely frightening when you look at them as an aerial trio inside the box from set pieces.

And in modern-day football, it's not just corners. Even a throw-in is a set piece. So, for me, I think that is where Arsenal can take advantage. And I think Arsenal will score from a set piece against PSG.

READ | Saka, Arteta react in emotional scenes as Arsenal end 20-year wait for Champions League final

How will PSG plan against that?

Robin Singh: I think they have to come up very strong. Again, I want to take the Bayern game as an example because we saw a 9-goal thriller. And then we also saw a game that PSG went out and won 1-1 in the second leg. So, for me, this is a team that can score goals, but at the same time also turn around and play football to pull an Arsenal team out. And I think that's where PSG would want to find a way that they can invite Arsenal.

It might not be the highest-scoring game. But Luis Enrique will surely pull a trick out of his sleeve because he's been here earlier.

If you could give one name who will be key for their team if they have to win the Champions League?

Robin Singh: Right. I think to win, specifically to win, it has to be Kvaratskhelia, in my opinion, for PSG. For Arsenal to win, I think Declan Rice will be very important. Rice is the only one in the midfield with the experience of the European League; he'll have to control that midfield.

Give us a scoreline prediction...

Robin Singh: I think it's going to be cagey, that's for sure. It could turn out to be a long night because the defensive solidity of Arsenal can take it all the way down to penalties.

But if PSG score first, then Arsenal have to step out. And if you step out against the PSG team, they will hurt you. Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Doue are all boys who are also fondly known as 'Kvaradona' or the chaotic front three.

Watch UEFA Champions League 2025/26 - Final - PSG vs Arsenal on May 30th 2026, from 9:30 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 Hindi SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil, Telugu & Kannada) and Sony LIV.