Arsenal have been told they have one significant advantage over Champions League final opponents PSG
Arsenal will hold one key advantage in the Champions League final despite facing a superior PSG outfit, according to Rio Ferdinand. Following their Premier League title triumph, Gunners supporters have been marking the club's first league championship in 22 years.
For Mikel Arteta and his squad, attention has turned back to matters on the pitch as they aim to secure a historic double by defeating the defending champions and tournament favourites in Budapest. Arteta enjoyed the benefit of rotating his squad for the final-day victory at Crystal Palace, ensuring most players are fresh and ready for the occasion, while Jurrien Timber looks set to feature after overcoming a groin problem that sidelined him for the previous 14 matches.
Ferdinand admits PSG are superior in almost every department, except one crucial element, which he sees as a clear vulnerability for the French champions - set-pieces. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former Manchester United defender said: "I now think that Arsenal are going to win the Champions League.
"You know why? Let me explain myself. PSG are the better team, 100 per cent. Right now, they've got the team, they're the better footballing team, better style of play. They're the best team on the planet to watch and their manager [Luis Enrique] is the best right now at this point.
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"But they look uncomfortable at set-pieces. Even Bayern Munich, who aren't great at set-pieces, they made them look uncomfortable and I've seen it many times this season."
Arsenal's approach to set-pieces has drawn flak from certain quarters this season, yet there's no disputing the significant part they have played in the team's success. Ferdinand added: "Arsenal play a lot of football and a lot of it is driven to set-pieces. And I think Arsenal fans would agree with that.
"They're the best team in the Premier League at set-pieces and if they get set-pieces and free-kicks and corners, they are going to cause absolute carnage against that small PSG team.
"Physically, at set-pieces, PSG can not compete with Arsenal and if Arsenal get any type of possession and any type of free-kicks around the box, or even the halfway line, they're going to cause damage."
The Gunners will need to be at their best defensively. Timber, who has been kept on the sidelines for 76 days, will be charged with shackling the dangerous Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who makes up one third of PSG's formidable front three alongside Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
The French champions have netted an impressive 44 times in Europe this season, though Arsenal can lay claim to the most resolute defence, having conceded just six goals across their unbeaten 14 matches leading to the final.
A confident Arteta said: "They are defending the trophy, they were the last ones to earn that right to lift the trophy and they are the champions, but we are here to take that away from them."