Ferdinand backs Arsenal to exploit PSG's set-piece weakness in Champions League final

Rio Ferdinand has backed Arsenal to win the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest, identifying set-pieces as the one area where Mikel Arteta’s side can decisively hurt the French champions despite acknowledging their overall superiority.

Speaking on his podcast, the former Manchester United defender was unequivocal about the quality gap between the two sides — but equally clear about where PSG can be hurt. “PSG are the better team, 100 per cent,” Ferdinand said. “They’ve got the team, they’re the better footballing team, better style of play. They’re the best team on the planet to watch and their manager [Luis Enrique] is the best right now at this point. But they look uncomfortable at set-pieces. Even Bayern Munich, who aren’t great at set-pieces, they made them look uncomfortable and I’ve seen it many times this season.”

Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces has attracted criticism in some quarters this season, but Ferdinand sees it as a genuine weapon against a physically smaller PSG backline. “Arsenal play a lot of football and a lot of it is driven to set-pieces,” he added. “They’re the best team in the Premier League at set-pieces and if they get set-pieces and free-kicks and corners, they are going to cause absolute carnage against that small PSG team. Physically, at set-pieces, PSG cannot compete with Arsenal.”

Arteta heads into the final with his squad largely refreshed after rotating for the final-day Premier League win at Crystal Palace. Defender Jurrien Timber is also set to return after missing 14 matches with a groin problem, and is expected to be tasked with containing the dangerous Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — one third of PSG’s front three alongside Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.

The stakes could hardly be higher for both clubs. Arsenal are chasing a historic double after ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, while PSG arrive as defending champions and tournament favourites, having scored 44 goals in Europe this season. Arsenal’s counter-argument is statistical and stubborn: they have conceded just six goals across 14 unbeaten Champions League matches on the road to Budapest.