As the Champions League final draws near, all eyes are on Budapest, where Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will clash on May 30. For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and his squad, this is more than just a game—it's a shot at the club's first-ever European title. The Gunners punched their ticket to the final with a gritty 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. It's their first appearance in the elite competition's final since 2006, and the North London faithful are buzzing.

But can they get the job done? Former Premier League star Micah Richards thinks so—but only if they strike first. "If Arsenal score first, they win it," Richards declared on the latest episode of *The Rest is Football* podcast. He believes the Gunners could then lock things down defensively, turning the game into a fortress. However, Richards isn't betting against PSG just yet. "PSG have more ways of playing, they can play defensive," he noted. "They have better individual players, so they have to be favorites. If you're going by stats, you've got to say PSG are going to win."

Richards isn't alone in that assessment. Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker also lean toward the Parisians, despite Arsenal topping the league phase of the competition. "PSG, I think," Shearer said when asked for his pick. "They know what they're walking into, and there's less pressure on them than Arsenal. The ability in every position, and Luis Enrique has done it before—that's why." Lineker echoed the sentiment, calling PSG 60-40 favorites, but he added a twist: "I've got this sneaky feeling Arsenal are going to do the double."

For Arsenal fans, the path to glory might hinge on that first goal. If they can break through early, their disciplined defense could carry them to history. But with PSG's star power and versatility, it's shaping up to be a final where every moment counts. Whether you're backing the Gunners or the Parisians, one thing's for sure—this is a matchup no football fan will want to miss.