Tale of the Tape: How do PSG, Arsenal stack up in Champions League final?

The Champions League final is set.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain will look to retain their title May 30 in Budapest against an Arsenal side aiming to hoist the famous big-eared trophy for the first time in club history. Who has the edge in this rematch of last season's gripping semifinal affair? Here's how the two teams stack up.

👉 Jump to: Goalkeeper | Defense | Midfield | Attack | Manager

Goalkeeper

Many could've predicted PSG would be back in the Champions League final at the start of the season. Few, if any, would've told you that Matvey Safonov would be the netminder helping the French giants get there.

The Russian, who usurped expensive offseason addition Lucas Chevalier between the sticks following a heroic shootout performance in the FIFA Intercontinental final in December, is something of a throwback. He's a little unorthodox and isn't particularly good with his feet, but he keeps the ball out of the net when called upon.

Counterpart David Raya, on the other hand, is the more prototypical modern goalkeeper. The Spaniard has produced some masterful saves in the competition this season - he was brilliant in the quarterfinals against Sporting CP - and is adept with his feet, even if some of his high-risk passing gives Arsenal fans ulcers.

Advantage: Arsenal

Defense

This one depends on how, exactly, you quantify defenders and their roles on the pitch. The sport has never been more holistic. "Defending" is a total team effort, often starting right from the front with attackers who initiate their team's press when out of possession. There may not be a more ferocious presser than Ousmane Dembele, while fellow star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a dogged defensive contributor when he isn't putting opposing full-backs on skates with his array of shot fakes and jukes.

But, for the purpose of this itemized exercise, we'll keep this contained to the four players that constitute the backline for each team.

Despite making it all the way to the final and playing more games than nearly every other squad, Mikel Arteta's side has still conceded the fewest goals in the tournament (six in 14 outings; no other team is even in single digits). Arsenal had the best defense during the league phase by expected goals, and they consistently gave up the lowest-quality scoring chances. That's not surprising, considering Arteta often erects a wall of four center-backs in his starting XI and sets up his team to grind matches into dust and frustrate the opposition. It's clearly working; Arsenal are on the brink of a Premier League and Champions League double. If the Gunners are going to lift this trophy for the first time, they'll need to play out a low-scoring affair at the Puskas Arena.

By largely shutting down a Bayern squad that has registered an obscene 175 goals this season, PSG showed in Wednesday's semifinal second leg that they can also grit their teeth, sit deep, and stay resolute at the back. There's more to Luis Enrique's team than just attacking panache (of which there's an incredible amount). PSG have better full-backs, and the central partnership of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos has a great understanding, but Arsenal are the better defensive unit.

Advantage: Arsenal

Midfield

This is a delicious matchup.

Declan Rice is a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder, uniquely capable of being everywhere all the time in the defensive third and then driving his team forward with powerful runs into the opposition half. It's a sight to behold when the England international is in full flight, galloping with the ball at his feet and flipping the field. Assuming full fitness for everyone, Rice's engine and ball-carrying, combined with captain Martin Odegaard's creativity and the combativeness of teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly (a left-back who has excelled in midfield in his last two outings), give Arsenal enviable balance.

But PSG's midfield might actually be a perfect unit - or at least as close to it as there is right now.

Portuguese metronome Vitinha can dictate tempo and rhythm like few others in the game; Joao Neves, still somewhat in his compatriot's shadow, is an absolute pit bull with elite technique; Luis Enrique then completes the trio with either Warren Zaire-Emery or Fabian Ruiz, two players who differ stylistically but complement the Portuguese pair beautifully in their own ways.

Advantage: PSG

Attack

Let's not overthink this one.

Yes, the return of Bukayo Saka makes this comparison closer than it otherwise might've been had the English winger remained sidelined. Injuries have obviously hampered his production from open play this season, but he's still easily Arsenal's best, most dangerous forward, capable of creating and scoring goals in equal measure. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres' game doesn't always look smooth or glamorous, but he's compiled over 20 goals across all competitions in his first season with the club.

Regardless, this is PSG's greatest edge going into the final.

The fluid and devastating attacking trio of Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue features, in order: the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, the only player in history to record a goal contribution in seven consecutive knockout-stage appearances in a single Champions League campaign, and the current holder of the Golden Boy trophy that recognizes the sport's best young player.

If, for some reason, that's not enough, PSG can simply bring Bradley Barcola or Senny Mayulu off the bench, as they did Wednesday against Bayern. Hell, even Goncalo Ramos can score in a pinch if necessary.

With all due respect to Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke, the scale is clearly tipped here.

Advantage: PSG

Manager

Both managers deserve immense credit for what they're accomplishing at their respective clubs.

Arteta's faced plenty of setbacks (and criticism) at Arsenal, but the progress has been obvious over his seven-year tenure and could yet result in the greatest season in club history, even eclipsing the iconic "Invincibles" campaign engineered by Arsene Wenger.

Luis Enrique, meanwhile, quickly transformed PSG from a disjointed team of individuals who could never get over the hump into a cohesive unit capable of playing truly breathtaking football and steamrolling the continent's top clubs.

The two are close friends; Arteta has spoken glowingly of his countryman's influence on his career from the brief time they spent together at Barcelona during their playing days. For now, the mentor still has the edge over the pupil. Can Arteta change that in Hungary?

Advantage: PSG