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Arsenal, PSG Fans Set to Bring Anthem Battle to UCL Final
The UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday will feature not only a battle on the pitch but also a clash of fan anthems, as supporters of both clubs prepare to fill Budapest’s Puskás Aréna with their signature songs.
Arsenal fans are expected to passionately sing “North London Forever,” a popular anthem adapted from Louis Dunford’s 2022 song “The Angel (North London Forever).” The song pays tribute to the Islington district of north London, home to Arsenal’s past and present stadiums, and has become a powerful symbol of the club’s identity and community spirit.
The anthem, which celebrates local culture, resilience and belonging, gained widespread popularity among supporters and was prominently heard during Arsenal’s recent Premier League title celebrations. Manager Mikel Arteta described the atmosphere created by the song as an “emotional explosion.”
PSG supporters, meanwhile, will respond with “Tous ensemble on chantera” (“All Together We Will Sing”), an anthem created by the club’s Ultras group. The song reflects the unwavering loyalty of PSG fans through years of challenges and disappointments, both on and off the field.
The anthem became a symbol of unity after supporters returned to the Parc des Princes under the banner of the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP). It was notably sung during PSG’s historic Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last season and has remained closely associated with the club’s rise to European success.
The song’s lyrics recall years of hardship and perseverance, highlighting the bond between the club and its supporters. PSG coach Luis Enrique has also joined fans in singing the anthem during celebrations this season.
PSG’s current success marks a dramatic transformation from earlier decades, when the club struggled with poor performances and serious hooliganism issues. The team narrowly avoided relegation in 2008, while fan violence led to multiple tragic incidents in the 2000s.
The club’s fortunes changed after Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired PSG in 2011 and invested heavily in building a world-class squad. Despite signing global stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, PSG had to wait until last year to secure its first Champions League title.
Under Enrique’s leadership since 2023, PSG has embraced a more team-oriented approach, relying on emerging talents and collective effort rather than individual star power.
Saturday’s final also features an intriguing Spanish managerial duel. Enrique, a former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder, will face Arteta, who enjoyed successful spells with both PSG and Arsenal during his playing career, reports UNB.
Should Arteta guide Arsenal to its first-ever Champions League crown, celebrations in north London are expected to be accompanied by loud renditions of “North London Forever,” adding another memorable chapter to the club’s history.