Paris Saint-Germain Can Defend Champions League Title, Says Kvaratskhelia Ahead Of Arsenal Final

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia insists Paris Saint-Germain are ready to defend their Champions League crown when facing Arsenal in Saturday’s final, as the Ligue 1 side chase more history and attempt to become the first team since Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018 to retain the trophy in the modern era of the competition.

PSG and Arsenal know each other well in Europe now, as this will already be their fourth Champions League meeting since the start of last season, with Luis Enrique’s side winning both legs of last term’s semi-final, and that head-to-head record helps shape expectations for a final in which Arsenal seek revenge while PSG chase back-to-back titles.

Since 2020, PSG have reached the Champions League final more often than any other club, appearing in three editions in that period, and last season’s victory formed part of a treble which made PSG the ninth European team to achieve that feat and the first French side to do so, although another treble is impossible this year after elimination from the Coupe de France in the round of 32.

The most recent final underlined PSG’s power in Europe, as Luis Enrique oversaw a 5-0 victory against Inter at the Allianz Arena, which remains the largest winning margin ever recorded in a European Cup or Champions League showpiece, and Kvaratskhelia scored the fourth goal that night, giving the Georgia international a direct role in a record-setting display on the biggest club stage.

Kvaratskhelia has again been central to PSG’s progress this season, especially once the knockout rounds began, and no player has registered more goal contributions than Kvaratskhelia in the 2025-26 Champions League knockout stages, with 10 involvements split between seven goals and three assists, highlighting how often PSG’s attacking play has flowed through the winger in decisive moments.

The Georgia international has also created a piece of individual history, becoming the first player to either score or assist in seven consecutive knockout matches within a single Champions League campaign, while contributing to a PSG side that has struck 44 goals in this season’s competition, a total bettered only once in one edition, by Barcelona’s 45 in the 1999-00 season.

Champions League final focus: PSG’s journey and mentality vs Arsenal

Kvaratskhelia accepts that this European campaign did not start smoothly for PSG, describing how the squad had limited recovery time after last season’s efforts and how early group performances fell below internal expectations, yet the players analysed those issues, adjusted their approach and gradually found rhythm again, putting together winning runs that carried the French champions back to another final.

"We know we are the reigning champions. The beginning [of this year's competition] didn't go as we wanted, Kvaratskhelia told UEFA.com. After so many matches, we didn't get to rest much, so we soon had to analyse the fact that we still had to show everyone that we deserved to win the competition last season. At first we struggled, but at some point in the middle of the season we realised we coulddo what we do best, so we played in harmony, continued to win and made it to the final. All of this is very important, and we understand that we are the reigning champions and we can win again. Of course, this will be difficult, but we've proved once more that we can beat any team, as long as we play our way and give our all on the pitch."

Key attacking and team records from PSG’s current Champions League run, with Kvaratskhelia’s role highlighted, are shown below for further context on their form heading into the Arsenal clash, illustrating how individual and collective statistics align with PSG’s status as defending champions.

Kvaratskhelia also reflected on how opponents have adapted after last season’s treble, suggesting that PSG have needed to adjust while keeping the same belief: "I think there have been many changes, because many teams know how we played last year, Kvaratskhelia added. They tried to block our strategies, but we showed that we can find everything to play well, against every opponent. We respect them, but we know that we have qualities that can beat every team. We just have to focus on our game, and that is what we always try to do. It's kind of the same, because we did a great job last season, and we are trying to have a great season this year as well."

As PSG prepare for Arsenal on Saturday, the defending champions arrive with recent experience of finals, a strong attacking record and a key performer in Kvaratskhelia who is producing at a high level in the knockout stages, while also stressing that the squad must again rely on its established style and mentality rather than past trophies.