As all the major national leagues have concluded, the Champions League final in Paris is the last major football event before this year’s World Cup. The Stade de France is an appropriate venue for the two participating clubs, Arsenal and Barcelona. The enigmatic Barça leader Ronaldinho began his European career with Paris Saint-Germain five years ago. For an Arsenal squad with a French coach and several players with roots in that country, Paris is a propitious setting for this final.

The current odds of which team will lift the trophy (including overtime and penalties) are as follows:

Barcelona -188

Arsenal +175

Barcelona are a clear favorite and nobody is surprised to see them here. They are arguably the strongest team in Europe, and with names like Ronaldinho, Eto-o, Deco, Larsson, Messi, Giuly and Puyol that is difficult to contest. Barça are a supreme threat on offense, scoring 22 goals in their 12 Champions League games this season. They exude skill and have no problem showing off their wealth of talent game after game.

Having comfortably secured the Primera Liga title, lifting the Champions League trophy would be a satisfying end to Barcelona’s season. They are undefeated in their last 12 matches in this competition and come into this match with a complete and healthy squad. Led by Ronaldinho, FIFA World Footballer of the Year, Barça will be disappointed with less than a victory.

This was to be a rebuilding year for Arsenal. Rather than spending money on new players, they opted to save money before moving to the new Emirates Stadium next year. That was clearly evident in a disappointing year in the Premiership and eventually fourth.

But that was certainly not the case in the Champions League. Arsenal took command and quickly passed through the group stage. But his performance in the knockout rounds was even more impressive, as he did not concede a single goal, against no less than players like Villarreal, Juventus and Real Madrid. In fact, Arsenal only allowed two goals in their 12 Champions League games this season.

For the Gunners, it was a kind of inversion of form. In recent years, as Arsenal lit up the Premiership, they fought in the Champions League. Now, coach Arsene Wenger has come up with a winning formula in Europe that is based on discipline and organization.

A London club had never before reached the final of this tournament. But Barcelona have never won the Champions League either, a huge disappointment for a club of their stature. Whatever happens, this will be the end of a dream no matter where your loyalty is.