Alan Shearer predicts team that will beat Arsenal in UEFA Champions League final

England and Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has predicted that Barcelona will beat Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final next June.

Arsenal, who lifted their first Premier League title in 22 years in May, relished a fine Champions League season last time around. They reached their second-ever final, losing 4-3 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

With the Gunners deemed one of the favourites, Shearer has backed Barcelona to stop the English giants from lifting their maiden Champions League trophy. He said on The Rest is Football podcast (h/t Metro):

“Those two teams (PSG and Barcelona) probably have to be favourites along with maybe Arsenal, but Barcelona are looking a bit tasty at present. Clearly it all depends on how the draw goes but I’m going to go Barcelona to win it, beating Arsenal in the final. It would be unbelievable for (PSG) to win it three times, winning it three on the spin, that’s why I’m going Barcelona.”

Fellow England legend Gary Lineker pitched in and added:

“We can’t all go Barcelona. I fancy them this season, I think they’re due. I’ve got a feeling that PSG are not going to win it this season and I think that it will be between Barcelona and Arsenal.”

The Camp Nou outfit, who last won the Champions League title in 2015, advanced to the quarter-final stage past term. They opened their 2026-27 campaign with a 5-1 win over Dutch outfit Feyenoord this Wednesday.

The Catalans were the first club to beat the Gunners in a Champions League final. They came back from a goal down to beat the north London side 2-1 back in 2006, winning their second-ever Champions League trophy.

Arsenal boss offers injury update on 3 stars

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has stated Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera are both expected to be fit before the start of the international break. Ahead of their clash at Sunderland on Saturday, he told club media:

“(Cristhian’s) doing really well. Let’s see if he can get back for this game or the next one. (With Jurrien), let’s see. We have another training session. He’s been doing really well, he’s been training with us now for a few days, and he looks in good shape.”

Asked to shed light on Ben White’s fitness, Arteta replied:

“(He’s) fine.”

Arteta’s side are currently second in the Premier League standings with nine points from three games, with Manchester City leading the table.