30 May,2026 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Ronan Carvalho
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka moves with the ball during an English Premiership game against Chelsea; (right) PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during a recent French Ligue 1 clash against Brest. Pics/AFP
Two European giants, two vastly different playing styles, one mission: Winning club football's most coveted trophy - the Champions League.
On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain's attacking flair will clash with Arsenal's steely defence in Budapest.
Both teams have enough star power to fill the night sky, but former India forward Robin Singh feels two players, in particular, have the ability to be game-changers for their respective sides - PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.
"The amount of goal contributions [goals and assists] that Kvaratskhelia has had in the knockout games is underrated. If he played for a major [footballing] nation instead of Georgia, he would probably win the Ballon d'Or. For Arsenal, Saka [will be their game-changer]. He's their captain and also scored in the semi-final [against Atletico Madrid]. PSG's defenders will be most worried about him. He is one of those players who has that spark in him, making him dangerous," Singh told mid-day during a virtual media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network.
Singh, who played 30 matches for India, reckoned the midfield will be an area of intrigue and the side that dominates here, is likely to come out on top. He also felt that PSG's experience of having won the tournament last year gives them the edge, while Arsenal's set-piece expertise makes them special.
"Apart from the attackers, this game will be decided by the midfielders. [Arsenal's] Declan Rice will have to show up against the likes of [PSG's] Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaire-Emery or Fabian Ruiz. I believe if Arsenal score, they'll do so from a set-piece. PSG have a defensive weakness from set-pieces, and I'm not a fan of the zonal marking system they tend to play. With guys like Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal are frightening when it comes to set-pieces with the physicality that they bring," added Singh, 36, who has played for the likes of East Bengal, Bengaluru FC, and Goa FC among others Indian clubs.
When pressed for a scoreline prediction, Singh said: "The first team to score will control the tie. PSG hold the edge, so a 2-1 win for PSG."
