Arsenal's defending received substantial attention in UEFA's technical review of the 2025-2026 Champions League final, even though Paris Saint-Germain lifted the trophy. According to VnExpress's account of the analysis, four of its five main themes concerned how the English side limited their opponents.
The May 30 final in Budapest finished 1-1 after extra time, before PSG won on penalties. The French club had 72% possession and 21 shots to Arsenal's eight. The review nevertheless treated the prevention of clear chances as a separate measure from the amount of time spent with the ball.
Arsenal prioritised protection of central areas. Their centre-backs resisted being drawn away when PSG's attackers moved wide, while Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard tracked back to support the full-backs. That helped maintain numbers around the areas of greatest danger.
PSG's equaliser followed movement and combination play out wide that led to a penalty. The sequence illustrated how the attacking team had to adjust its approach to break through, rather than simply circulate possession more often.
The UEFA specialists cited in the report emphasised teaching young players basic defensive skills. In that view, technique includes tackling, blocking and dealing with situations inside the penalty area, as well as what a player can do while in possession.