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Eze: Arsenal's Champions League title shot feels liberating

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Eberechi Eze says Arsenal feel "liberated" heading into their Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal claimed the Premier League title last week, ending a 22-year wait to win the top-flight crown.

Now, the Gunners are targeting a maiden Champions League triumph, having reached the final for the first time since 2006, when they lost to Barcelona.

If Arsenal win, they will become the second London club to lift the trophy after Chelsea. This would make London the first capital city to boast multiple winners of the competition, and only the third city overall with two title holders, after Milan and Manchester.

Arsenal could become the 25th team to win the Champions League/European Cup, and the third first-time winner of the competition over the last four editions, after Manchester City in 2023 and PSG in 2025. The Gunners could also become the seventh English club to lift the trophy – no other country has had more than three different winners.

And Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace last summer, feels like the pressure is off.

"The Champions League final is what dreams are made of," Eze told Sky Sports.

"These are things that you've spoken about and wanted as a kid. To be able actually to be there is a special thing.

"Confident? Yeah for sure. I feel like we've achieved something that means so much to us and the joy, the confidence, the power that comes with that is special. So I'm sure we'll be bringing that on the day as well.

"It's quite liberating. It's an opportunity to do something that has never been done before. Loads of people have had the opportunity.

"We are just another group of people that have the opportunity and I pray that we take it. When we do, it will be a special moment for sure."

Mikel Arteta has come in for some criticism for his approach at times this season, with the Gunners focusing on a rock-solid defensive structure and prioritising set-piece quality.

Arsenal have kept nine clean sheets in the Champions League this season, three more than any other team, while they have conceded just six goals. In contrast, PSG have shipped 22.

When Arsenal wobbled in April, losing to Bournemouth and Manchester City, it seemed as though the Premier League title would slip through their grasp, but Eze says the squad is better off for coming through a tough period.

"You go through ups and downs and loads of noise in the media," Eze said.

"But, at the end, all that matters is who won. And it doesn't matter how you won, it doesn't matter what you did to win.

"To do it how we've done it, for me, is also quite special because we've blocked out so much noise, so much attention around us. Style of play is very subjective.

"There are so many different opinions about it but ultimately, when you are winning games, that's all that matters."