Arsene Wenger believes the Champions League is the missing piece in the Arsenal empire

As Arsenal walk out to face PSG in the Champions League final on Saturday, they'll be one man whose smile will be a tiny bit broader than most watching on in Budapest. 

Although he wouldn't admit it, a large reason why the Gunners can compete at this level is down to the now FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger, the man who transformed the club during his era-defining spell as manager of the North Londoners. 

During his two decades with Arsenal, Wenger won three Premier League titles and turned the club into a consistent player at Europe's top table, but the only thing missing from his legacy was leading the club to a first-ever Champions League triumph. 

They came close, their 2006 defeat to Barcelona was the Gunners' first and only appearance in the final, but now twenty years on, he could finally see the club he revolutionised finally lift the famous trophy. 

"I want this trophy to go to the Emirates because it’s missing there," Wenger said, speaking to UEFA ahead of the showpiece. 

"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."

DAZN/FIFAGetty

A win for Arsenal would follow the Premier League triumph from last weekend, when they ended their 22-year wait to be champions of England. 

Yet, it's their failure to make that final step in Europe that has been the monkey on their back for several years now as they've watched Chelsea and Manchester City usurp them and win their first Champions League gong. 

However, Wenger is in no doubt that his former side deserves to be the top dogs in Europe if they can finally win the big one. 

Adding, "I feel the club deserves it, this season deserves it and the consistency of the team deserves it.

"When I arrived at Arsenal, the club had very little Champions League history. Then we had 20 consecutive years of qualification, and now the crown of that history would be to become champions.

"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." 



Wenger has also reserved praise for the man who's now in his former position as Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta. 

It was the Frenchman who signed Arteta for the Gunners during his time in charge, thus putting in motion a connection with the club that saw him return as a manager and lead the team to title glory. 

Now he has the opportunity to do something no manager has ever done for this famous club. 

"He has done well. He has created discipline and great spirit in the team," Wenger finished by saying. www.arsenal.com

You also have to give credit to the club because they were patient and invested a lot. The club showed great faith in him and gave him the financial resources to achieve his ambitions.

Arteta has never shown doubt or weakness in what he’s doing. Leaders must show consistency and strength in their beliefs, and he has done that."

Watch World Cup archive, highlights, and documentaries for FREE on DAZN

DAZN is the home of FIFA+ , a vast library of football on-demand content including World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, player profiles, live matches, and both full match replays and highlights.

Watch it all for FREE on DAZN on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and web browsers.

FIFA+ includes:

• FIFA World Cup archive - full match replays of all matches from Brazil 1970 to Qatar 2022
• World Cup goals - the best goals from each tournament; every goal from every nation from every tournament
• Original documentaries - including Mo: A Global Icon; Golden Boot: The Documentary; After Diego
• Icons of the game - From Pelé to Cristiano Ronaldo
• Behind-the-scenes content
• Live matches from around the world