The tactics that could win Arsenal the Champions League

The tactics that could win Arsenal the Champions LeagueImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Arsenal are bidding to win the Champions League for the first timeByUmir IrfanFootball tactics correspondentPublished2 minutes agoCommentsMikel Arteta's Arsenal are hoping to follow up their Premier League triumph with a Champions League trophy against Paris St-Germain on Saturday but know a mammoth task is ahead.Arsenal's men have thrived in Europe with a high possession approach that has minimised the number of chances they concede, boasting the most clean sheets (9) in the competition so far. Luis Enrique's PSG, by comparison, have only five clean sheets but are the tournament's top scorers with 44 goals to Arsenal's 29.Although these stats set the game up as the best attack against the best defence, Arteta will hope his side are front-footed, playing in PSG's half as they did for large parts of the two legs in last season's semi-final exit.From non-league to Champions League final - Raya's fairytale risePublished22 hours agoThe 7,000 minutes difference - why PSG could have edge over ArsenalPublished1 day agoTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, 'It's been written' - Arsenal players look ahead to UCL finalThe value of a different type of number nineA tactic that worked impressively - despite the narrow defeat - in the second-leg tie between the two sides last season was the use of midfielder Mikel Merino as a number nine.PSG, known for their ability to press intensely and often in a man-to-man fashion, stepped up to Arsenal as they looked to build out from the back.A key principle of positional play is finding the free man. When opponents apply man-to-man pressure, finding a free man is harder.With Merino dropping deep into central midfield, PSG centre-back Willian Pacho was reluctant to follow him, which allowed the French team to keep an extra...