Arsenal vs PSG: The Champions League Final Is Set

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1:00Alan Shearer:This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off a quick pre-match warm-up from Fuse, a question on the teams and players who make things count. Which Premier League player scored the most goals as a substitute in 24-25?

1:17Gary Lineker:Duran is my answer. It's not Duran. It's either Muniz or Wilson. I'm going to go Wilson then.

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2:11Gary Lineker:Coming up on today's show... I just feel as if there's been a change in Arsenal and change of mentality in terms of how positive everything is. Miles Lewis Skelly. Brilliant. What a performance. You know, he does make a very different to what Zubimendi does. When he gets the ball, his first throw is forward. Can I pass it forward? And I think that makes a huge difference for Arsenal. They're coming into form at the right time, and that's the most important thing.

2:38Alan Shearer:For Arsenal and England, one or two of them, which is encouraging. Kravis Kelly is my favourite winger in European football.

2:45Gary Lineker:They're going to have to be at their very, very best to stop this PSG team.

2:49Alan Shearer:I've just got this sneaky feeling Arsenal are going to do this double.

3:03Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Micah Richards with a beaming smile on his face. Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. We're doing this very late at night after the Champions League semi-final between Bayern and PSG. We've been waiting for big meeks. they're getting the money's worth out of you Micah oh mate it's been a long day but it's been eventful to say the least I was with Beckham today hang on hang on hang on hang on just pick that name up

3:36Gary Lineker:there hang on that's what I mean I was with a real superstar today actually yes I was with David Sir David oh no no no we're on it's different for me we're mates you know what I mean I don't just call him Sir David I just call him Dave, Dave-o. You know what I mean? Dave-o. That's a connection we've called Dave. I love it. So yeah, I was on his show for a while and then went back to our show. So it's been eventful to say the least.

4:03Alan Shearer:Yeah, Al, you were at the game. Let's start with that one actually because obviously huge for Arsenal. It's been a great two weeks, 10 days for them, hasn't it really? I thought they were really good last night. I mean, it's tough opposition, Atletico, really well organised. They probably didn't play too much great football Atletico. I thought Arsenal played really well. Solid, some excellent performances. You were there. What was it like?

4:25Gary Lineker:Yeah, I thought it was a great atmosphere. I felt as if the whole atmosphere in the stadium was very, very positive. After the weekend, I just feel as if there's been a change in Arsenal and change of mentality in terms of how positive everything is. After Saturday, after on Monday when City drew. And then last evening, I just, yeah, I just think there's been a huge change in attitude and everyone's together. Everyone's all excited rather than nervy and edgy. I got there, you know, I think athletically, I don't think they were great. They certainly lacked a bit of quality up front, I thought. But yeah, I thought Arsenal did more than enough and without doubt, the best team deserved to get through.

5:06Micah? Miles Lewis Skelly. Brilliant. What a performance. He played him against Fulham, wasn't it? The weekend. And the big debate was, was he going to bring Zubimendi back? But his energy in there, his tenacity, his game, his confidence, I just thought it was brilliant. To do that as a teenager.

5:26Gary Lineker:You know, he does make a very different to what Zubimendi does. When he gets the ball, his first throw is forward. Can I pass it forward? And I think that makes a huge difference for Arsenal. rather than getting the ball and going sideways and across and allowing teams to get their shape. I think he can make that defence split and pass or through the midfield into the forwards. And I think that makes a huge difference for them. I thought there were three big, big performances from Arsenal players last night. Louis Skelly, as you said, Declan Rice and Jokeres. I know he missed a big chance, but I thought his performance was outstanding as well.

6:02Well, what was different with Jokeres? Because, you know, when we talked about Jokeres, he was saying he needs to run forward, get him behind a lot more. And you've said, Alan, a lot about the need to find him earlier. Are Arsenal doing that now?

6:16Gary Lineker:Yeah, they are. Yeah, I think certainly with Saka at the weekend, the ball that he played in for his goal and the forward pass that he received last night for running him behind, because there wasn't a lot of space. And Atletico, we're getting men behind the ball, but that run from his and then the ball into him made all the difference. and that's what in the end won them the game. So through that ball, then the cross and obviously the finish, the shot and the finish from Saka was in there to tap it in. But his hold-up play I thought was brilliant and of course that running in behind. And I said it after a game or two, if you're going to get the best out of Jokeres, you have to get balls early into him.

6:55Gary Lineker:Not just balls up to him, but balls in behind and balls into the box.

6:59Alan Shearer:His performance at the weekend as well was really positive and I think that helped him going into the game. They seem to get in the ball forward quite quickly, much more quickly than they've been doing in previous weeks. And Louis, I think you're right. I think Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the reasons for that. The way he turns on the ball and looks forward, he can burst the lines as well. Declan was running past people. I mean, crikey, does he cover some mileage. I mean, he really is an amazing athlete as well as a wonderful footballer. I would actually add Ben White in there as well. I thought he was terrific, really good.

7:30Alan Shearer:but I know you're talking about the spine and understandably so. And Giocarez, yeah, it was like he was, I don't know, reinvigorated, I thought, in that game. It was like he wanted the big occasion maybe. But I think primarily it is, A, he was offering himself all night and they were actually looking for him early and even getting the balls into the box, which is really important for any striker, Alan, isn't it?

7:53Gary Lineker:Particularly him, because I think there's nothing flashy about his play. I think he relies so much on teammates to supply him with balls. I think he looks an average player if you don't do that. But once you get the ball into him quickly, once you get your ball in behind quickly and balls into the box, that's what he feeds off. And that's why he looks, when he looks a good player.

8:16Alan Shearer:It's a remarkable statistic here. I'm switching my attention a little bit to the back two central defenders, Gabriel and Saliba. When they've been on the pitch together, Arsenal haven't conceded a Champions League goal from open play since Kimmich scored against them in April 2024, over two years ago. Goals have conceded since then in two whole seasons, one against Inter, which was a penalty, one against Sporting, which was a corner, one against PSG, which was also a penalty, Bayer Leverkusen, a corner, an Atletico penalty as well. It makes me think ahead of ourselves a little bit with the final.

8:57Alan Shearer:I mean, it's a really interesting contest between two sides with different styles. Although I thought PSG tonight showed that they can defend when they get a lead if they have to. Luis Enrique can do everything. I mean, I think he's such a talented coach. Gets the best out of his players in whichever way he plays. But Arsenal are tough to score against. And they really are. Yeah, because they've got the balance of the centre half. I think they know each other's game really well. Saliba, we all know, is very good on the ball. Gabriel's more of the leader. He's a warrior, isn't he? Yeah, exactly that.

9:30But to add to that, I have to add David Rea. I think all the players for Arsenal have got over the line in terms of staying within the title, getting to the Champions League final. They wouldn't be there without David Rea. Some of the stops that he's made. He should be nominated for player of the year as well. You talk about the spine of the team, Gez. Rea Gabriel Saliba Rice you know and Saka Saka has come back he's not been the same this season but you talk about big moments in games he stepped up didn't he he showed it against Fulham and then he gets a goal against Atletico so they're coming into form at the right time and that's the most important thing

10:15Alan Shearer:for Arsenal and England one or two of them which is encouraging but you have to give a bit of credit to Arteta as well a lot I would say when Arsenal play and start of the season looked really good didn't they and there was getting over the line still unbeaten in the Champions League but then you come to a crossroads don't you and everyone's sort of talking about your style of play and at times we know they've not been great they went through a little bit of a blip and he could have sort of changed his style to appease everyone else and he didn't and thinks you know what this is how we're good this is how we're going to get results and this is what we're going to do.

10:54And that's what's got them to the final and that's what's kept them competitive in the Premier League. And there's no harm in that. If he gets over the line, no one talks about how you play. It's about what you win. So he deserves, you know, great credit for that.

11:09Gary Lineker:One game ticked off. They've got four to go. Four to go to write themselves into the history books at Arsenal Football Club forever. Those players and that manager to achieve something that no one's ever done at Arsenal as Champions League and League Double. be an unbelievable achievement. Four games.

11:26Alan Shearer:It really would. It'd be something very special indeed. And, you know, I don't think there was a really weak performer last night. I thought every one of their players did well. Probably had a bit of luck with the penalty decision. BAO didn't turn it over. I don't think it was enough to turn over personally. I think they actually gave a foul against Gabriel, but I don't think it was probably a foul. And that's why they said they didn't give the penalty. and if they didn't, then Griezmann, he probably did get touched. But you can go back to the first leg and say, well, hang on a minute. They definitely didn't get the best of it in the first leg and it possibly evens itself out.

12:03Alan Shearer:But they're in the final and it's going to be a tough game, but I think one that we'll all look forward to. I mean, Arsenal have been unbeaten in the Champions League all season. The only team, obviously, to do that. Fewest goals conceded and the most clean sheets as well. I mean they've been sensational in this tournament really I would say

12:23Gary Lineker:yeah I mean I think they've had the smoother run through to the final but they deserve that because their performance in the early parts you know in the league games or the league phase so I know it doesn't always work out but if you sit top of it then you give yourself a better chance of getting better draws and they've done that so you can't point that at them

12:46Alan Shearer:Harry just told me Mike that you got to ask a Kaiyo Sakura question at the end of the game? After the game? Well, I asked him, who does he want in the final? Which they never answer. Which he never answers. But he said, he sort of alludes, he said, what were the words he used? I've got them here. He said, who do you think? Or you know who I want? Who do you think? I don't know. That's why he asked the question. Who do you think he would have wanted in the final? Let me ask you two both that question. I think Bayern. Probably Bayern, I would say. Yeah, probably Bayern. Yeah. Probably Bayern. PSG are ridiculous.

13:30No, they're ridiculous. All the players are unbelievable. I know we're going to come to them in a little bit, but I don't really see a weakness. And I know as pundits, we always use the word unbelievable, don't we? It's like a safety word or someone's unbelievable, but they are actually unbelievable. unbelievable team unbelievable coach the style of football is amazing and yeah it's going to be a great final for sure

13:55Alan Shearer:yeah it wasn't that different a game it's just the finishing wasn't quite as explosive as the first apparently there were more shots in this game than there were last week which I was a little bit surprised about but I mean again that front three they're so I mean Kravitzkeli I mean oh my goodness and Dwayne as well on the other side

14:16Gary Lineker:you just go through if you go through that team by the way Micah's right I totally agree with you Micah there isn't a weakness I mean even even Hakimi's not in the side tonight yeah and then you still go right through it there's not in every single position I thought they were outstanding I mean we've spoken so much about their forward players and rightly so over the last sort of seven days and then they get the goal straight and it was a it was a brilliant goal after three minutes but I the most impressive thing for me tonight night was how they defended. I mean, Marquinhos, goodness me. Pasho, just brilliant.

14:54Gary Lineker:Midfielder's so great on the ball. Forward's brilliant running with the ball. Just, yeah, they're outstanding. Yeah, I think not only that as well. You know I always like to look at the tactics of the game. So if you see when PSG scored the goal, Bayern tried to go man-to-man. so if you look where Tar's position is on one side he's gone all the way across and Upe Makanu's sort of gone the other way like telling Tar to come across and sort of plug the gaps and then Upe Makanu goes in and then Tar can't cover round because he's trying to go man for man but what PSG did if you look at Zayemre who's a midfielder but he was playing right back because of Hedgeny.

15:44So when they was on the ball, PSG, he was going all the way into midfield. And then a Bayern player was following him, which gives PSG an overload in certain areas of the pitch. And then they didn't know how to figure it out on the pitch. And by the time they sort of grasped it, it was a little bit too late. And for someone to have that tactical nous at such a young age, we've talked about Zion Emery before and Thierry's talked about him when he came on the pod. He's a midfield player. But to have that, because he's played left back, he's played right back for PSG this season. But to be able to see it play out in such a big game, I just think tactically, Luis Enrique got it spot on.

16:28Alan Shearer:He's so good. And always the danger when you do go man to man on a team is if a player beats the person that's marking them, what happens then? That is always the problem. Let's discuss that game in a little bit more detail and what we think will happen possibly in the final after this break.

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