Next stop Budapest where another page of the European Cup history will be written, but lots of effort was needed to get here.
Comparing Arsenal and PSG routes to the Champions League Final 2026
Talk about contrast. Arsenal are heading to the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years. Paris Saint-Germain arrive there for the second straight season. While both clubs may have already celebrated winning their respective domestic leagues, the continental crown awaits in Budapest – although not when you may have expected – with their routes to the final having had very different vibes.
The Gunners went unbeaten throughout, relatively controlled and impressively low on chaos. PSG, on the other hand, has felt more like a European obstacle course with elite name spikes, away trip trapdoors, oh, and then Bayern Munich waiting at the end holding a flamethrower.
Let’s take a closer look...
Who did Arsenal play to reach the 2026 Champions League Final?
Mikel Arteta’s side deserves enormous credit for getting through unbeaten, conceding just six goals across the competition and knocking out whoever stood in front of them. And that included the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. But there is also the unavoidable detail that Arsenal’s knockout run reads a bit like a very pleasant European city break itinerary.
Sporting CP. Bayer Leverkusen. Atlético Madrid.
Perfectly respectable clubs, of course. Strong clubs. Historic clubs. But not exactly the kind of collection that makes you wake up in a cold sweat at 3 a.m.
Arsenal’s full route to the UCL final
League phase
- Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
- Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
- Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
- Slavia Praha 0-3 Arsenal
- Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
- Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal
- Inter Milan 1-3 Arsenal
- Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty
Round of 16
- Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
- Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal won 3-1 on aggregate
Quarter-final
Arsenal won 1-0 on aggregate
Semi-final
Arsenal won 2-1 on aggregate
Who did PSG play to reach the 2026 Champions League Final?
Luis Enrique’s side had Barcelona, Leverkusen, Bayern, Tottenham, Sporting and Newcastle in the league phase, then drew Monaco (in the playoff as they missed out on top eight), Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern again in the knockouts.
By the end, it was less a Champions League run and more a guided tour of clubs nobody particularly wants to see in a draw. And the chaos of that semifinal will live long in the memory.
PSG’s full route to the final
League phase
- Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atalanta
- Barcelona 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
- Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 Paris Saint-Germain
- Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Bayern Munich
- Paris Saint-Germain 5-3 Tottenham
- Athletic Club 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain
- Sporting CP 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain
- Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Newcastle United
Playoff round
- Monaco 2-3 Paris Saint-Germain
- Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Monaco
PSG won 5-4 on aggregate
Round of 16
- Paris Saint-Germain 5-2 Chelsea
- Chelsea 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain
PSG won 8-2 on aggregate
Quarter-final
PSG won 4-0 on aggregate
Semi-final
PSG won 6-5 on aggregate
PSG vs Arsenal: 2026 Champions League Final awaits
So, contrasting routes, yes, and playing styles that sometimes feel like they’re involved in different sports entirely. Arsenal built on control, structure and defensive calm. PSG resembling somebody playing FIFA with all tactical sliders shoved forward.
The graphics above (thanks Sofascore) tell part of the story too.
PSG average 2.88 goals per game in the knockout rounds compared to Arsenal’s 1.00. The French side also created almost double the “big chances” per game. Arsenal, however, kept clean sheets in 67% of their knockout matches, compared to PSG’s 38%.
There is also the little matter of star power.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been absurd, with seven knockout-stage goals and an 8.05 Sofascore rating. Then there’s Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé continuing to appear in nightmares for opposition defenders.
Arsenal’s standout names tell a slightly different story. Declan Rice has been the metronome. Kai Havertz has chipped in with crucial goals. Gabriel Martinelli has also helped stitch attacks together. It’s worth noting that the return of Saka could be key.
We can’t wait to see how it plays out on Saturday...
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.