Arsenal vs PSG is now just days away, and the excitement is building rapidly.
The Champions League final is the biggest stage in club football, and games like these are usually decided by moments of magic from special players.
Both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have stars capable of producing those moments. That is why Micah Richards was recently asked to name the potential difference-makers ahead of the final in Budapest.
One of the Arsenal players he selected may genuinely surprise a lot of people – Gabriel Martinelli.
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Micah Richards says Gabriel Martinelli could decide Arsenal vs PSG
Martinelli’s season has been slightly strange.
At times, the Brazilian has looked absolutely electric and unstoppable, while in other periods, he has drifted in and out of games more than Arsenal supporters would have liked.
However, one thing nobody can question is how dangerous he becomes when there is space to attack.
That is exactly why Richards believes Martinelli could have a huge say against PSG.
The French champions are expected to dominate possession for large spells of the final because of the way Luis Enrique likes his team to play.
That could leave opportunities for Arsenal to hurt them quickly in transition, and few players in Europe are more dangerous on the counter-attack than Martinelli.
Speaking about potential difference-makers in the final, Richards said on UCL Fantasy: “You know who I’m going to say? Martinelli.
“Because PSG are going to have a lot of the ball, aren’t they? We know how they play. Him on the counter-attack, Martinelli could be the one.”
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Micah Richards picks two other Arsenal stars as difference-makers vs PSG
Martinelli was not the only Arsenal player Richards highlighted ahead of the final.
The former Manchester City defender also backed Viktor Gyokeres to produce another huge performance on the biggest stage.
He said: “I’m going to go Gyokeres, because everyone thought he was down and out, but in the business end of the season, he has turned up!
“Gyokeres, he has turned up!”
Richards then praised Eberechi Eze as another player capable of deciding the game with one moment of brilliance.
He added: “Eze could shoot. He has got five against Spurs this season, hasn’t he, in the league?
“You know what? I’ll throw Eze out there. Whether it be a set-piece or edge of the box, he can strike it. So, yeah, I’ll go with Eze as well.”
As for PSG, Richards selected Marquinhos and goalkeeper Matvey Safonov as the French side’s potential match-winners in Budapest.
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