Thousands of Arsenal fans queued from 6.30am this morning to get into north London pubs ahead of their side’s Champions League final against Paris St Germain later.
Footage on social media showed how Gunners supporters lined up in orderly fashion, snaking around street corners and down residential roads as they sought to secure their place as soon as venues opened.
Thousands were keen to cram into inns surrounding the Emirates Stadium, where they got on the booze early before what could be a historic night for the side.
Arsenal have only appeared in the final once before in 2006, and while they were the first London club to make it all the way, they were ultimately beaten 2-1 by Barcelona.
Bars and fan zones across the city are expected to be packed out as supporters hope for a repeat of their side’s recent Premier League success.
Manager Mikel Arteta has seen the side from 14th to top spot this season, the first time Arsenal has won the league in 22 years.
The north London side – famously supported by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – will be looking to finally fulfil their long-held dream of being crowned kings in Europe when they go head to head with the French side at 5pm UK time at the Puskas Arena.
Thousands of miles away from their home corner of the capital, the Gunners are currently making final preparations for the game in Budapest, Hungary.
Footage on social media showed how Gunners supporters lined up in orderly fashion, snaking around street corners and down residential roads, from 6.30am this morning
Thousands were keen to cram into inns surrounding the Emirates Stadium, where they got on the booze early before what could be a historic night for the side
Thousands were keen to cram into inns surrounding the Emirates Stadium, where they got on the booze early before what could be a historic night for the side
Arsenal fans pose outside a pub in north London as they gear up for tonight’s final
Arsenal fans mass in north London on Saturday, where they hope to watch the Gunners pull off a double victory after winning the Premier League last week
Meanwhile in Paris, businesses are boarding up their shops and restaurants over fears of large riots, whichever way the final score goes.
PSG is hoping to win back-to-back Champions League titles with victory tonight, but the ‘Gooners’ will be hoping they can spoil the party.
The Parisian side would be only the second team in the modern era to retain the trophy, after Real Madrid.
This morning Arsenal fans from across the country were already gathering in north London.
Some eager supporters headed to their favourite boozers from 6.30am, bringing camping chairs, water and snacks to await opening time.
Videos showed queues of hundreds of people outside dedicated Arsenal pubs by 8am, kitted out in shirts, caps and scarfs despite the already warm day.
Other fans are heading to dedicated fan zones across the capital today, with floods of red shirts spotted around almost every street corner.
And some who didn’t manage to make it to Budapest will watch a special screening of the final game of the European season at the Emirates instead.
Barbers in Arsenal shirts at the Black Sheep Classic barber ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final
Arsenal fans gather in north London pub ahead of a special screening of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final
Meanwhile in Paris, pedestrians walk past a barricaded and boarded-up bank on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris – businesses in the capital are making preparations for riots following tonight’s match
A worker boards up the Apple store on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Saturday
Speaking ahead of today’s match, manager Arteta said Arsenal is ready to take the crown from PSG.
‘They are defending the trophy, they were the last ones that had the right to lift the trophy,’ he said.
‘They are the champions, and we are here to take that away from them.’
Fans will be hoping that Arteta can lead his side to victory, making tomorrow’s victory parade all the more special by securing the double.
Some 500 Met Police officers are set to be deployed to the parade, regardless of the score at the final whistle tonight.
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.’
