Arsenal fans have taken over Budapest ahead of tonight’s Champions League final against Paris St Germain – as police prepare for possible trouble.
Some 4,000 officers stand ready to operate tonight, both in the Puskas Arena itself and on the streets of the city, to keep visitors safe and try and prevent clashes between groups of rival supporters.
It is feared up to 10,000 fans could arrive in Hungary without tickets for the match, keen to be nearby for what could be a historic night for the Gunners.
Arsenal have only appeared in the final once before in 2006, when they were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona.
Even many hours before kickoff at 5pm UK time later, fans of both teams were already amassing in the streets on Saturday morning, many after a long night of celebrating and excitement late into Friday.
It is thought that by the time the match gets underway later, there will be as many as 45,000 extra football fans in the city, leading to the largest mobilisation of police in its history.
At a press conference this week, Major General Dr. János Zoltán Kuczik, commander of operations for the final warned: ‘We will take decisive action if we encounter any behaviour that disrupts public order.
‘It’s no secret that having fans from London and Paris in Budapest at the same time poses a significant risk, but it is our job to minimize that risk.’
Arsenal fans spill out onto the streets on Friday night as they prepare for the club’s first Champions League final in 20 years
Some 4,000 officers stand ready to operate tonight, both in the Puskas Arena itself and on the streets of the city, to keep visitors safe and try and prevent clashes between groups of rival supporters
An Arsenal supporter attends the UEFA Champions festival at the Heroes Square in Budapest on Friday
Security preparations for the last European game of the season began more than a year ago, with authorities taking advice from those in London and Paris, and officials also visiting last year’s final in Munich to observe operations.
It is the first time that Hungary have ever hosted the fixture.
As well as ramping up security, the city has also laid on extra public transport and fan buses for both teams to transport their supporters.
Closer to home, bars and fan zones across London are expected to be packed out later as supporters hope for a repeat of their side’s recent Premier League success.
Meanwhile in Budapest, Arsenal’s final preparations are underway.
Speaking this week, manager Mikel Arteta said ‘the ambition is bigger now,’ after the side secured the top spot in England’s top football league.
‘We have won and now we want the second one. We have to aim for bigger destinations.
‘I want the players to be so confident. The players want more. Going through those moments brings you a different kind of desire.
It is thought that by the time the match gets underway later, there will be as many as 45,000 extra football fans in the city, leading to the largest mobilisation of police in its history
An Arsenal fan is seen in Budapest, Hungary, ahead of the side’s match against Paris St Germain
The fans are certainly feeling optimistic – straight off the back of the club’s first Premier League trophy in 22 years, they will hope history is in the making
Thousands of Arsenal fans gathered on the streets of Budapest on Friday night ahead of today’s final
Arsenal fans dance the night away ahead of today’s Champions League tie with PSG
‘You feel what it is like to win and you want to reproduce that feeling as often as possible.’
The fans are certainly feeling optimistic – straight off the back of the club’s first Premier League trophy in 22 years, they will hope history is in the making.
Thousands took to the streets in Budapest last night to drink, dance and sing – and they’ll be hoping there will be far more to come tonight.
Many have faced long, complicated journeys to support their side, catching flights, trains and buses and taking indirect routes to ensure they arrived on time.
And whatever the outcome, the experts are agreed – spectators should expect a close game.
Brazilian legend Cafu told the Daily Mail it is too close to call, but Arteta’s side can certainly be ‘really dangerous’ for PSG.
‘I don’t know, it’s really hard to know who will win. I can’t say today if it’s Paris or Arsenal,’ said Cafu.
‘Both teams have the same 11 [in quality] so it’s really hard to know who will win.
‘[Arsenal] are a really dangerous team. They’re a team who knows how to play from set-pieces. They’ve had a fantastic competition, didn’t concede too many goals. That’s why I’m sure it’s going to be a really big final.’
