As the Champions League returns for another campaign, football writers are divided over who will ultimately be crowned champions of Europe, though a clear narrative is emerging around Arsenal potentially suffering back-to-back final disappointments.
Paris Saint-Germain enter the competition seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title, but Opta's supercomputer has installed Arsenal as favourites before a ball has even been kicked. The Gunners, fresh off ending their long wait for a Premier League title, are still chasing their first-ever Champions League triumph after last season's penalty shootout heartbreak against PSG in the final.
Despite the statistical backing for Arsenal, a panel of football reporters largely believes Barcelona are best placed to lift the trophy this term, with several predicting another agonising final defeat for Mikel Arteta's side.
Matt Verri argued that Barcelona possess the attacking depth to go all the way, pointing to the combination of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and new signing Anthony Gordon as sufficient to compensate for the lack of a traditional out-and-out striker. He also highlighted the addition of Rodri to a midfield already stacked with World Cup winners as a key factor. Verri predicted PSG would relinquish their crown while Arsenal reach the final again but fall short once more, with their defensive solidity carrying them through the rounds before a lack of attacking spark proves costly. He suggested a Barcelona win would carry extra significance given the club's off-field tensions with Atletico Madrid over Julian Alvarez, particularly if the final is staged at the Estadio Metropolitano.
Dom Smith echoed the sentiment, naming PSG, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Arsenal as the four genuine contenders while dismissing Real Madrid and Manchester City from title contention. Smith felt Bayern lack the resilience for deep knockout football and expects PSG to fall just short of a third straight triumph. Despite rating Arsenal as the strongest side on paper, he tipped Barcelona to prevail, forecasting Anthony Gordon would become a Champions League winner as the Catalans claim their first title since the 2014-15 season.
Sam Tabuteau also identified Barcelona and Arsenal as the two clear favourites. He praised Hansi Flick's Barcelona as a relentless attacking force bolstered by Rodri and Gordon, while acknowledging Arsenal's own summer recruitment of Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis. Tabuteau noted that Arsenal's exhausted title-winning squad looked drained by the time last season's final arrived, but believes their improved depth should help them cope better with fixture congestion this time. Even so, he predicted another close final ending in more misery for the Gunners as Barcelona edge to their first European crown in over a decade.
Not every reporter backed Barcelona, however. Arthur Ferridge broke from the consensus to tip Bayern Munich as eventual winners, describing them as a