“This is their time” – Ex-Super Eagles star predicts winner of PSG vs Arsenal UCL final

Bukayo Saka and Ousmane Dembele. Photo Credit: Soccernet

Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has weighed in on the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 2025–26 European club season comes to a close this weekend as the champions of England and France go head-to-head for the biggest prize in European club football. 

PSG head into the final as defending champions after thrashing Inter Milan 5–0 in last season’s final, while Arsenal are appearing in only their second final in history and their first in 20 years, since a 2–1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006.

Soccer Godwin Okpara shares thoughts on PSG vs Arsenal clash

Both PSG and Arsenal have enjoyed impressive runs to the final, eliminating several European heavyweights along the way to set up what promises to be a blockbuster showdown in Budapest.

Pre-match discussions have been dominated by predictions from around the world, with opinions split on who will lift the trophy. Former PSG and Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has now added his voice, backing his former club to dominate Europe once again.

Okpara believes PSG’s attack is one of their biggest strengths, but insists Luis Enrique has built a well-balanced team that relies heavily on collective effort rather than individual brilliance, something he feels gives them an edge over Arsenal.

“There is a lot of quality in this PSG squad, and they do not depend solely on Ousmane Dembélé. It is an elite team because they no longer play through just one player”, the former Nigerian defender said, via Footy-Africa.

“Look at their tactical formation. Even Achraf Hakimi operates with the impact of an attacker, but he is fundamentally a defender. Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have good understanding and they play as a collective unit, and they win as a team. That is the only way to secure the biggest trophies.

“In the past, during the era of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, the entire burden of the club was placed strictly on their shoulders. That is exactly why they did not get the results they wanted on the European stage. The PSG team we are seeing now is entirely different. It is built on pure teamwork, not individual egos.”

Despite backing PSG, Okpara admitted the final will be far more difficult than last season’s dominant win over Inter Milan.

He also praised Arsenal’s defensive strength, as the Gunners have conceded just six times in their run to the final, although he expects the game to be very open with plenty of chances for both sides.

“It is going to be an incredibly tough match because both teams are exceptionally strong in their respective areas. I am expecting to see plenty of goals in this final”, Okpara added.

“But when you look closely at the squads—ranking them position by position from the goalkeeper, through the defence, into midfield, and up to the attack—PSG simply possess more quality players. For that reason, I see them winning it.”

Soccer Okpara responds to Ligue 1 ‘Farmers’ league’ criticism

PSG have often been underrated in Europe due to the perceived lack of competitiveness in Ligue 1, with critics frequently labelling it a “farmers’ league.”

However, Okpara believes that narrative is outdated and referred to PSG’s consistency in reaching multiple Champions League finals, as well as the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in recent years as evidence of the league’s growth.

“This is their time. Reaching a major global showcase like the FIFA Club World Cup and another Champions League final is a great thing for French football. I have never understood why people try to label Ligue 1 as a ‘farmers’ league.’ When I was playing in Belgium, Ligue 1 was the competition that the majority of people actively wanted to watch.

“The French league has a long, rich history and has consistently featured some of the game’s greatest global stars. Ultimately, how a league is perceived comes down to sponsorship and how you promote it. England does that marketing job incredibly well, but French football has always been elite. PSG have suffered for a very long time to establish this consistency, and I am happy to see them there”, Okpara concluded.

The UEFA Champions League final will take place on Saturday at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, with PSG aiming to win the trophy for a second consecutive season, while Arsenal chase their first-ever title.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.

Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin