Alan Shearer on the Champions League Final: Close game in store but PSG can defend title

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PSG will win the Champions League but it is a tough one to call

There is no doubt PSG will be the favourites, and I think that's right. With their attacking talent, them being the current holders, and their experience, when you put all that together, that's why they are the favourites.

But, and it's a big but, if there's one team that can stop PSG in the whole of Europe, it's Arsenal. You look at Arsenal's defensive stats; they're the best in Europe by a mile in everything they've done.

That makes Arsenal very dangerous. What also makes them dangerous is the relief of winning the Premier League and having that huge burden lifted off them now. They've won it, they've had their party, they've done whatever. It's never a free hit in football, but in terms of Arsenal, they're not under huge pressure to go and win this.

It would obviously be a massive achievement if they can win both the league and the Champions League, but they're not under huge pressure to win it. Other than Arsenal fans, I guess everyone's expecting PSG to win it. But, as I said, and it's a big but, if there's one team that can stop PSG because of how good they are defensively in Europe, it's Arsenal.

If Mikel Arteta were to win the Premier League and Champions League this season, he would be immortalised in the eyes of the Arsenal fan base. To win those two would be an unbelievable achievement. It would be statue time for him if he gets them over the line.

It's really tough to predict who wins this game, though. I'll go with the favourites in terms of PSG, but I wouldn't feel comfortable putting any money on it because of the way Arsenal are and how they could go into it really relaxed, knowing they've won the Premier League. That could be an advantage or a disadvantage, I guess.

But it's a really, really tough one to call. I'll just go with PSG because of the attacking talent they have and their experience and know-how when it comes to winning it.

Alan's combined XI from PSG and Arsenal

Goalkeeper - David Raya

He's one of, if not the best goalkeepers in Europe. He's been my player of the season because of the important saves he's made and the difference he's made to Arsenal, particularly this season. That's why he would get in there as the goalkeeper.

Right Back - Achraf Hakimi

Hakimi has to be in there at right back. Again, he's one of, if not the best in the world at doing that both offensively and defensively. He's brilliant at both. Quick, reliable, and with Arsenal's current right-back issues, he gets in there.

Centre Backs - Gabriel and Marquinhos

I'm going to have to go with Gabriel and Marquinhos. Two great players, two brilliant defensive players. Marquinhos can perhaps do a bit more with the ball going forward, but they are two very, very reliable players.

Left Back - Nuno Mendes

I would have to say Nuno Mendes at left back. He's an incredible player, and we speak about PSG in forward positions, but I've just mentioned three of the best defenders around for PSG, and I could have put all four of them in really. I'd have to go with Nuno Mendes.

Midfielders - Declan Rice, Joao Neves, and Vitinha

Declan Rice, Joao Neves, and Vitinha in midfield. Joao Neves is an unbelievable talent. I mean, you talk about getting your foot on the ball and playing in the way they want to play. He is not as physical as Declan, I guess, but in terms of protecting the ball, looking after the ball, touch, technique, and all of those things, he is special.

That midfield three has pretty much everything you would want, with Vitinha and Declan Rice in there as well.

Forwards - Bukayo Saka, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

I would have Bukayo Saka on the right, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left, and Dembele down the middle. It was great business from PSG to get Kvaratskhelia when they did, and he's turned into a world-class footballer. It's just a shame he's not going to be playing in the World Cup.

With talent like his, it's as good as you're going to get when it comes to running at people with the ball, jinking, turning, twisting, and going whichever way he wants. His ability to run with the ball is incredible.

Saka, as we know, might not have had a great season, but the talent is there. It just looks as if he's coming back at just the right time. And Dembele is a Ballon d'Or winner, so it's a pretty special front three if you ask me.

Declan Rice is in the conversation for winning Ballon d'Or if Arsenal win the CL

Without doubt, Declan Rice is in the conversation to win the Ballon d'Or. If Arsenal are to win the Champions League, then he's going to have to be outstanding. And if he is outstanding and Arsenal do win it, then he would thrust himself forward into being spoken about as a Ballon d'Or winner.

I wouldn't say as yet that he is an all-time Premier League great, but in terms of getting very close, yes, he is. He's now won the Premier League, which his performances and attitude deserve, and if he were to go on and win the Champions League, then he'd be edging himself closer into that bracket.

He hardly ever misses a game. I mean, he's a manager's dream, isn't he? So yes, he wouldn't be that far away from the likes of Gerrard, Lampard, and Scholes. If you come back to me in two or three years' time and say he's won this, this, this, and this, then he would, without doubt, play himself into that bracket.

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