PSG Destroy Inter Milan 5-0 to Clinch Historic First UEFA Champions League Title

 Paris Saint-Germain have finally claimed their long-awaited UEFA Champions League title, and they did it in spectacular fashion — demolishing Inter Milan 5-0 in a one-sided final that will go down in football history.

The Parisians came flying out of the blocks, dominating the match from the very first whistle with their high-intensity pressing, dynamic movement, and ruthless attacking play. Inter Milan struggled to deal with the relentless pressure and tempo, especially in the opening 30 minutes.

The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Achraf Hakimi (corrected from "acaraf") slotted home following a brilliant team move initiated by the impressive Desire Doué. Moments later, Doué turned scorer, finishing off a devastating counterattack to double PSG’s lead.

Inter Milan tried to slow the game down and gain some control, but they rarely threatened PSG’s goal and looked out of ideas going forward. Their compact defensive structure, often effective in Serie A, was repeatedly pulled apart by the movement and speed of PSG’s attackers.

The second half was little more than a procession, as PSG continued to dominate possession and create chance after chance. Doué added his second of the night before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu added their names to the scoresheet, sealing a 5-0 rout that could easily have been even more lopsided.

From start to finish, PSG looked like a team on a mission — hungry, aggressive, and clinical. It was the kind of performance worthy of Champions League glory, and one that firmly announced their arrival at the pinnacle of European football.

As an Arsenal fan, watching the final unfold was bittersweet. There’s a nagging sense of “what could have been” knowing how close the Gunners came to reaching this stage. I even tweeted during the semi-finals that Inter Milan would have been the best possible opponent in the final, and PSG’s dominant display only confirmed that belief.

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Arsenal's Striker Hunt: Gyökeres or Šeško Who Solves The Striker Problem.

Arsenal’s search for a new striker has been one of the most prominent subplots of the 2024–25 campaign — a narrative that only intensified after Gabriel Jesus was sidelined for an extended period with another knee injury. While Kai Havertz has done an admirable job filling in up top, he's never been a traditional centre-forward, and Mikel Arteta’s side is clearly in need of a natural finisher.

The statistics back that up. Arsenal scored 22 fewer league goals this season compared to last. While some might have previously argued that the team could get by without investing heavily in a striker, that viewpoint has become increasingly difficult to defend. As the summer transfer window opened, Arsenal’s recruitment team seems poised to make a major move — not just for the immediate future, but for the seasons ahead.

At the top of the club’s shortlist are two names: Viktor Gyökeres and Benjamin Šeško.

Gyökeres: Proven, Powerful, and Ready Now

For those who believe Arsenal need a striker who can hit the ground running, Gyökeres fits the bill. The Swedish forward has been nothing short of dominant for Sporting CP in Portugal. His 39 league goals — including 12 from the penalty spot — comfortably outpaced any other scorer in the division and helped his club secure the Primeira Liga title.

Even without penalties, his scoring numbers remain elite, which is no small feat in a league known for producing rugged defenders and tight contests. Gyökeres isn’t just thriving in Portugal — he also enjoyed a solid spell at Coventry City before making his move abroad, suggesting that a return to English football wouldn't require much adaptation.

However, his European campaign has invited more mixed reviews. A memorable hat-trick against Manchester City caught the headlines, but overall, his six Champions League goals placed him 13th among the competition’s top scorers. Advanced metrics like expected goals (xG) place him near the top 10 when measured per 90 minutes (among players with at least 500 minutes), but slightly lower when you strip out penalties. That’s where Benjamin Šeško starts to shine.

Šeško: The Prospect with Huge Upside

Šeško may be younger, but he’s already making his presence felt in top-tier European football. Despite RB Leipzig's rough Champions League campaign — losing seven of their eight group matches — Šeško’s individual performances have stood out.

His non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes sits at 0.48, a figure that puts him on par with Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez. All three players — Martínez, Gyökeres, and Šeško — are currently outperforming their xG numbers, but Šeško’s ability to find good scoring positions and convert them has been a bright spot in a challenging season.

In the Bundesliga, he has shown consistent growth. While his overall goal tally dipped slightly, he has become more involved in build-up play and chance creation, demonstrating qualities that could potentially allow him to replace the deeper-lying forward traits that Havertz currently offers.

Choosing Between the Present and the Future

Arsenal’s decision may ultimately come down to philosophy. Gyökeres is 27 this summer and seemingly in his prime. He represents a ready-made solution for a team looking to mount a serious title challenge immediately. With over 50 goals in all competitions this season, he’s a proven force.

Šeško, on the other hand, is just 21 and still developing. But the potential is undeniable. Only a handful of players scored more than him in the Bundesliga this year, and clubs have tracked his progress since his breakout with Red Bull Salzburg. While he might not be as explosive statistically as Erling Haaland was at the same age, his ceiling is still considered extremely high.

Arteta and Arsenal have leaned heavily into long-term investments under their current project. Signings like Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber reflect a strategy of building a youthful core that can compete at the highest level for years.

If the club sees 2025 as a make-or-break season for silverware, Gyökeres is arguably the safer, more immediate solution. But if the emphasis remains on sustainability and growth, Šeško may represent the smarter long-term play.

Final Thoughts

There’s no perfect answer in the striker market — especially for a club without limitless spending power. But Arsenal are clearly aware that reinforcements are needed up front. Whether they opt for Gyökeres' current dominance or Šeško’s future promise, the move will send a clear signal: this team is ready to evolve, and it’s not settling for second best.

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