Arsenal will face PSG in the Champions League final, but NBA stars claim they are adopting passive tactics as they are the underdogs of the Premier League in the eyes of many.
Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to the Champions League final, but their methods may not be for everyone (Image: Getty Images)
NBA star Victor Wembaneyama has insisted he will be rooting for PSG in the Champions League final later this month, slamming Arsenal for “not making the game interesting”.
The Gunners reached their first European Cup final in 20 years against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, winning 1-0 on the night to seal a 2-1 aggregate win. It was a tough match between two teams well known for their defensive quality.
Still, Arsenal are currently unbeaten in 14 games in this tournament, but their final opponent, PSG, will be their toughest test yet. The Parisians are the defending champions, having defeated the Gunners in the semi-final 12 months ago.
PSG fought their way to the finals, playing sensational football and defeating Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. They have an effective and very entertaining style that allows Wenbanyama to boost their wins and keep the game from getting boring.
“Of course PSG will at least make it an entertaining game, because I know Arsenal won’t,” he told Amazon Prime Sports.
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Arsenal outperformed PSG in the league last year and have since shifted into gear, winning their last four games against Premier League opponents home and away. However, Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal can do the job against them when it comes to the showdown in Budapest.
He said: “That’s what it is. We knew the level of opponents we had to face, whether it was Bayern Munich or PSG. We knew their quality and that’s it. But of course, when the moment comes, we are very confident that we can give what we need.”
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembaneyama criticized Arsenal’s style of play (Image: Amazon Prime Sport)
Steven Gerrard insisted in the aftermath of the semi-final that Arsenal would go into the final as underdogs but would need to rely on their physicality and success from dead-ball situations to claim continental glory.
He said: “Arsenal will have to be the best version of themselves throughout the game because they are up against a quality team, an elite manager. Every player needs their turn, but of course there will be opportunities. I think they will be the underdogs that might suit them.”
“If they can win the Premier League, it will give them immense confidence and self-confidence. I think they will have to use their physicality and size. They will have to make every set piece important and take PSG to places they don’t want to go, places that are uncomfortable for them, but they certainly have a chance.”
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