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EXCLUSIVE: William Gallas says Champions League success would 'transform' Arsenal

A win for the Gunners would mark their first-ever Champions League win, and etch the 2026 side into club history as they lift the double under manager Mikel Arteta. 

A Bukayo Saka goal in the semi-final against Atletico Madrid sealed their second European showpiece, and the first since losing to Barcelona in Paris in 2006.

Interestingly, it is a rematch of last season’s semi-finals, which PSG won 3-1 and as Arsenal seek to make history, Arteta will be watching over that game to see where his side went wrong.

Continuing momentum

Speaking exclusively to Tribal Football via SveaCasino, Gallas opened up on Arsenal's Premier League title win as they lifted the trophy one week before one of the biggest games in the club's 140-year history.

Gallas believes that despite being crowned English champions, they may struggle to find such success consistently over the coming years.

Can Arsenal dominate English football over the next few years? 

"Arsenal have won the title, but I don't think they will dominate the Premier League next season, or going forward. 

"This season they were great. They were fighting in every game, and they were stronger, especially mentally. But in terms of football, I don't think they were truly dominant in the league.  

"Especially when they were playing against, for example, Manchester City, they were in a difficult situation, whether in the Carabao Cup or the league. It’s clubs like Manchester City that dominated the Premier League for many years, the way they play. 

"When we look at Arsenal's scores, they’ve had many goals from set-pieces. Sometimes their football made it difficult even for them to create chances or to score goals. This season they completely deserved to win the league, but it’s not guaranteed next year." 

Champions League is just a bonus

Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the title last week and the side will have to remain fearless heading into the PSG clash as the current European champions certainly won't hold back at the Puskas Arena, Budapest.

Gallas, who reached the semi-final with Chelsea in 2003/04 and 2004/05, spoke on how Arsenal could transform as a club if they do go all the way this season.

Could winning the Champions League help transform Arsenal? Would they finally be among Europe’s elite clubs? 

"Winning the Champions League after winning the Premier League would transform Arsenal as a club, partly because they haven’t won it before and partly because they are playing against a team that everyone sees as the best team in Europe by a long way. 

"Anything can happen in a one-off game so although they are underdogs, Arsenal have a great opportunity to lift that trophy. 

"It's going to be difficult, to be honest, looking at the attacking players that PSG have. But winning would make this the best season in Arsenal’s history. Everybody will look at them differently.  

"For the next season, the clubs will be a lot more worried about playing against Arsenal, knowing they can beat anyone." 

If you could give one piece of advice to this Arsenal squad ahead of the UCL Final, what would it be?

"I think winning the Champions League would be a bonus for Arsenal, but winning the Premier League was their main goal having come so close for so many years.

"I think the one danger would’ve been if players were already thinking about the Champions League final, but that wasn't the case given no one in their team has won the Premier League before. Now they have. 

"They all knew just how important the Premier League is and at the moment I think they will see the Champions League as nothing but a bonus. Now they have won the league, anything can happen against PSG, but they know what the focus is."

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