Rio Ferdinand names his pick to win the Champions League ahead of Arsenal vs PSG (2025)

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal will not reach the Champions League final and has tipped Paris Saint-Germain to win the competition.

Mikel Arteta’s side put down a huge marker in Europe this week by knocking Real Madrid out of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Gunners will now play PSG in their semi-final after the French champions eliminated Aston Villa on Tuesday night, despite suffering a 3-2 defeat at Villa Park.

In the other Champions League semi-final, Barcelona survived a 3-1 loss away to Borussia Dortmund this week to secure their place in the last four where they will meet Inter, who knocked out Bayern Munich following a 2-2 draw at San Siro.

PSG suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Arsenal in the league phase of the Champions League this season, while Luis Enrique’s side also lost to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

But having eliminated Brest, Liverpool and Villa in the knockout stage, Ferdinand feels PSG are now the favourites to win the Champions League and says the French side will beat Inter in this season’s final on May 31.

‘I’m going to go for PSG – Inter Milan final, that’s what I’ll think it will be,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

‘And I think PSG will win on the day, just.

‘I would love a Barca – PSG final, that would be my ideal final where you’ve got two front threes who are rolling it back and have got licence to attack people in a systematic, robotic time.

‘I think Inter get to the final but my ideal would be PSG and Barca just for the fact you’ve got to front threes who are allowed and want to take people on, who are exciting.

‘For entertainment purposes, PSG – Barca but part of me would like Arsenal to get there.

‘I wouldn’t mind Arsenal winning it, I’ve got to be honest. I like their players, I love Saka, I love Declan, I love Odegaard, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Gabriel, these are players I like.’

For more stories like this,check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.

MORE: Arsenal transfer target with low release clause compared to Lionel Messi

MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal summer wishlist and sends transfer warning to rival clubs

MORE: Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd learn new price to sign Hugo Ekitike