‘It’s a 50-50 game’ – Arsenal fan Remco Evenepoel weighs in on Champions League final

Remco Evenepoel, the Belgian former road racing World Champion and avid Arsenal supporter, has expressed his anticipation for a tightly contested Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. Currently training in Sierra Nevada ahead of the Tour de France, Evenepoel shared his views from the altitude camp, describing the match as a “50-50 game.” While acknowledging PSG’s advantage of last year’s experience, he remains hopeful for an Arsenal victory, confident that even a narrow 1-0 win would suffice. Evenepoel’s connection to Arsenal runs deep, having been inspired by club legend Thierry Henry from a young age. Before focusing fully on cycling, he captained Belgium’s under-16 football team and was regarded as a promising talent within RSC Anderlecht’s junior ranks. He even underwent trials with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, though he ultimately decided to prioritise cycling over a potential football career. On Arsenal’s current success, Evenepoel praised the team’s defensive solidity and midfield leadership, highlighting players such as Declan Rice, Martin Ödegaard, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and goalkeeper David Raya. He also singled out Bukayo Saka as a key attacking threat, suggesting that the team’s compact structure under manager Mikel Arteta has been fundamental to their achievements this season, including their Premier League triumph and Champions League final appearance. Addressing criticisms of Arsenal’s playing style, which some view as overly cautious or reliant on set pieces, Evenepoel defended the team’s approach by emphasising the importance of winning over aesthetics. He contrasted this with previous Arsenal sides that were lauded for their style but failed to secure major trophies, implying that results ultimately matter more than how the game is played. His comments reflect a pragmatic perspective on the club’s current strategy as they aim for European glory.