Odegaard assures Arsenal have “full belief” they can win the Champions League

**Odegaard assures Arsenal have “full belief” they can win the Champions League** Martin Odegaard stated on Friday that Arsenal enter Saturday’s Champions League final against holders Paris Saint-Germain with “full belief” they can claim the club’s first European Cup. The Arsenal captain addressed reporters in Munich, where the final will be played, and stressed the team’s focus on maintaining its identity rather than altering its approach against the French champions. Odegaard’s comments came during Arsenal’s final pre-match media session. “We know what we have to do to be us,” he said. “That’s the most important thing. We have full belief that if we do that, we can win.” **Odegaard’s Comments** The Norwegian midfielder, who has captained Arsenal since 2022, reiterated that the squad has discussed the challenge of facing PSG without overhauling its established patterns. “We’re not going to change who we are because it’s a final,” Odegaard added. “We’ve prepared the same way we prepare for every game.” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed the captain’s remarks in a separate briefing, noting that the team’s consistency throughout the season had brought it to this point. “The players understand the task,” Arteta said. “We respect PSG but we also respect the work we’ve done to get here.” **Arsenal’s Path to the Final** Arsenal advanced by topping their group and then defeating Real Madrid in the semi-finals on aggregate. The club last reached a European final in 2006, when it lost to Barcelona in the Champions League showpiece. This season marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the final since that match. The Gunners finished second in the Premier League, three points behind Manchester City, while maintaining an unbeaten run in the Champions League knockout stages until the final. Key contributors have included Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. **PSG’s Title Defence** Paris Saint-Germain enter as defending champions after defeating Inter Milan in last year’s final. The French side secured the Ligue 1 title and advanced past Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Coach Luis Enrique has maintained a settled squad, with Warren Zaïre-Emery and Ousmane Dembélé featuring prominently in recent matches. **Background and Context** The Champions League final is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time on Saturday at the Allianz Arena. UEFA has confirmed standard security and ticketing arrangements, with both clubs allocated equal ticket distributions. The match will be broadcast globally by UEFA’s partner networks. Arsenal last won a major European trophy in 1970, when the club lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. PSG’s European record includes one Champions League title and multiple domestic honours. **Team Preparations and Official Statements** Both squads completed closed training sessions on Friday. Arsenal’s medical staff reported no new injuries, while PSG confirmed that all players in the matchday squad are available. UEFA technical observers will conduct the standard pre-match pitch inspection on Saturday morning. **Implications and Next Steps** The outcome will determine the 2024-25 European champion and influence squad planning for both clubs ahead of the new domestic seasons. Further updates on team news and any disciplinary matters will be provided through official UEFA and club channels as the match approaches. This is Dante Williams for Global1 News, reporting from Johannesburg. 🇿🇦

This is Dante Williams for Global1 News, reporting from Johannesburg. 🇿🇦