UEFA has changed a Champions League rule following Arsenal's criticism of Paris Saint-Germain's advantage in their previous meetings. The Gunners and PSG will face off in the final for the fourth time in two seasons, and their last encounter sparked significant controversy.
Arsenal's Frustration with Previous Format
Arsenal were knocked out by PSG in last season's semi-finals, a result that left them aggrieved due to the seeding system. Under the new league table format introduced in the 2024-25 season, Arsenal finished in the top eight and secured direct qualification to the last 16, earning home advantage in the second leg of their round-of-16 clash with PSV Eindhoven. However, this benefit did not extend to the remainder of the knockouts.
Their frustration grew when PSG, who finished 12 places below Arsenal in the league phase and had to go through the play-offs, were drawn as the home team for the second leg of the semi-final. Mikel Arteta's side also faced an away second leg against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, despite finishing above them. Arsenal lost the semi-final first leg 1-0 at home and were eliminated 3-1 on aggregate.
UEFA's Rule Change for This Season
For the 2025-26 season, UEFA extended seeding to the entire knockout phase. Arsenal, having topped the league table, enjoyed home advantage in all three second-leg ties. This proved crucial in the last 16 against Bayer Leverkusen, where they drew 1-1 away before winning 2-0 at home. In the semi-finals, they drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in Spain and secured a 1-0 victory in London to reach the final in Budapest.
PSG, who finished 11th, had away second legs in all three knockout rounds beyond the play-offs. They overcame Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich on the road, demonstrating that the change did not hinder them.
Seeding Debate Continues
Despite the adjustment, debates persist over how seeding is determined. If a team eliminates a higher-ranked opponent, they 'steal' that opponent's seeding position. For example, Atletico Madrid earned a home second leg in the quarter-finals against Barcelona after knocking out Tottenham, who finished one place above Barcelona in the league phase.
The rule change has directly benefited Arsenal this season, giving them a clear advantage as they prepare to face PSG in the final. Whether this will influence the outcome remains to be seen.
