Why resolute Arsenal will believe prolific PSG can be beaten in final
"As much as we can be led by the statistics in talking about how PSG have got an incredible attack, you don't get this far in this competition without having something in defence as well. "While we can see how special their attack is, they have worked very hard to get here as a unit and I think as the season has progressed, they have got better and better. " Late Bayern pressure not enough as PSG return to Champions League final Someone who knows all about winning the Champions League is Clarence Seedorf.
The only player to lift the trophy with three different clubs, the former midfielder believes Arsenal's defence could be the difference against free-scoring PSG. "We have seen a team like Arsenal making the difference this year with so many clean sheets and coming all the way," Seedorf recently told Amazon Prime. "If I had to point out one team that would be capable of bringing it home because of that capacity, it is actually Arsenal.
Tell me one sport you can win without a proper defence. I don't think it exists. " Tuesday's 1-0 win was Arsenal's ninth clean sheet in 14 matches in Europe - they have only conceded two goals in six knockout games - and their 30th overall this season.
They have allowed their opponents an expected goals (xG) of just 0. 84 per game, and seven of the past 13 Champions League winners conceded fewer than 1. 0 xG per game on average during their successful campaigns.
In comparison, PSG's average xGA - expected goals against - in Europe this season is 1. 38. Arsenal have had an easier path to the final, beating Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico, while PSG have overcome Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern to reach the showpiece.