Arsene Wenger has backed Arsenal to win the Champions League, saying the trophy is the only thing missing from the trophy cabinet at the Emirates.
The Gunners have never won a European title, but have the opportunity to do so on Saturday evening, one week on from being crowned Premier League champions.
Wenger, who now works as FIFA’s Head of Global Development, was in the dugout for Arsenal’s only other appearance in a Champions League showpiece, when they were beaten by Barcelona in 2006.
He is confident Mikel Arteta will be able to get over the line where he failed to do so.
“I want this trophy to go to the Emirates because it’s missing there,” he said in an interview with UEFA.
“We touched it before — we were thirteen minutes away from winning it — so you want it to happen this time.
“I’ve always said that you work in a club to make sure it’s in a good position to continue to progress.
“Overall, I believe this is a stage where we can grab it. I still believe it’s fifty-fifty in the final, and if I had to bet, I would bet on Arsenal more than on Paris Saint-Germain.”
He went on: “I feel the club deserves it, this season deserves it and the consistency of the team deserves it.
“I think Arsenal have slowly built a history that now allows them to win it. I also feel the time has come for Arsenal to dominate the Premier League consistently.”
Arsenal’s mentality was questioned regularly this season as they were put under considerable pressure in the title race by Manchester City.
Wenger continued, adding he hopes they can rise above the noise of the occasion and simply focus on their football in Budapest.
He said: “A final is a final. The most important thing is that your team is not inhibited or impressed by the occasion and continues to focus on what it does well.
“This Arsenal team’s main strength is their ability to keep a clean sheet, and in a final that is very important.
“Then you have to be efficient. Your moment will come in the game and you have to be ruthless. I’ve played many finals and it’s similar to any cup final. You have to express your qualities and not be fazed by the occasion.
“Paris Saint-Germain have huge attacking potential, but Arsenal also have individual quality and are very strong on set pieces, which can have a huge influence in a final.
“Once you are 1–0 up, everything starts to play to your strengths when you are strong defensively. Arsenal can always be dangerous.”
