Real Madrid ought to have too much for Napoli, but there are tough challenges ahead for Arsenal, Leicester and Paris Saint-Germain Related: Champions League final: Ronaldo ‘had feeling’ he would score winner Related: Arsenal better set for deep run in Champions League, says Arsène Wenger Related: Juventus 1-3 Barcelona | Champions League final match report Continue reading...
Playmaker is an easy target for some but yet again the German World Cup-winner made a decisive intervention in a tournament which brings the best out of himAs game-seizing moments go, Mesut Özil’s part in Arsenal’s defibrillation after a deathly first half against Paris Saint‑Germain was among the more quietly understated acts of on-field leadership. Arsenal needed it, though. They were outplayed by PSG for most of this 2-2 draw, overrun in midfield and flattered to escape with a point.In avoiding defeat they were indebted to a moment of stirring incision against the head from Özil, who has often been accused of disappearing in these big games. “As soon as there is physicality involved, Özil disappears,” Raymond Domenech, always good...
The striker is prolific and has an admirable work ethic but, as in the match at Parc des Princes, has a habit of falling short when his team need him the mostThe two things that nearly everyone agrees on are he is dashingly swoonsome and that is irrelevant. Beyond that there is constant debate about the usefulness of a high-scoring striker who will attempt to deliver a decisive performance at the Emirates on Wednesday. We are talking – before anyone launches into another dissertation on Olivier Giroud – about Edinson Cavani.It is easy to forget that Cavani opened the scoring when Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at Parc des Princes in September. Because what really sticks in the mind...