Arsenal PSG Anthem Battle Champions League Final 2026, North London

Key Points

• The UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain takes place on Saturday at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna
• Arsenal fans will sing “North London Forever,” adapted from Louis Dunford’s 2022 song “The Angel (North London Forever)”
• The anthem pays tribute to Islington, north London, home to Arsenal’s past (Highbury) and present (Emirates) stadiums
• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the atmosphere created by the song as an “emotional explosion”
• PSG supporters will respond with “Tous ensemble on chantera” (“All Together We Will Sing”), created by the club’s Ultras group
• The PSG anthem became a symbol of unity after supporters returned to Parc des Princes under Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP)
• PSG sang their anthem during their historic Champions League triumph over Inter Milan 5-0 last season in Munich
• PSG coach Luis Enrique joined fans in singing the anthem during celebrations this season
• PSG narrowly avoided relegation in 2008 and faced serious hooliganism issues in the 2000s
• Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired PSG in 2011 and invested heavily in building a world-class squad
• Despite signing Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi, PSG waited until last year for their first Champions League title
• Under Luis Enrique’s leadership since 2023, PSG embraced a team-oriented approach relying on emerging talents
• The final features a Spanish managerial duel: Enrique (former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder) versus Arteta
• Arteta played at PSG from 2000-02 and Arsenal from 2011-16
• Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 2006, losing 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris
• Should Arteta guide Arsenal to its first-ever Champions League crown, celebrations in north London will feature loud renditions of “North London Forever”

Budapest Aston (North London News) May 30, 2026 – 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. Thousands of opposing fans will try drowning out their rivals’ anthem with their own at the Hungarian stadium, creating what observers are calling one of the most distinctive atmospheric battles in recent Champions League final history.

Which Anthem Will Arsenal Fans Sing at the Champions League Final?

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. As reported by the Independent, Dunford told spectators during a concert:

“This song I wrote in my bedroom as a little love letter to my home town. I never dreamed I’d hear it sung at every home game”.

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. Two weeks ago, Arsenal fans sang it to celebrate a first Premier League title since 2004, with Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta describing it as an “emotional explosion” after years of near misses. The uplifting chorus, bellowed out by Arsenal fans, goes:

“North London forever,
Whatever the weather,
The streets are our own.
And my heart will leave you never,
My blood will forever,
Run through the stone”

With some London rhyming slang — known as Cockney — and gritty-but-witty vocabulary, the song tells of local pubs, faces old and new, rough council estates with roguish characters, single mothers, and people in trouble with the law. Dunford sings:

“The manor might be changing, but the people still remain,”

adding:

“It’s in the roots that we inherit when a generation ends, it’s in the ruins of your youth and the faces of your past”.

Even famed actress Anne Hathaway posted a video of herself singing it which went viral on Instagram.

The song has become a staple in the Gunners’ pre-match ritual at the Emirates Stadium before home games, with the song played over the tannoy for fans to sing along to in the moments before kick off. Written by Louis Dunford, a singer-songwriter who grew up supporting Arsenal, the song was initially released in February 2022 as the second single of Dunford’s second EP ‘The Popham’, initially intended as a love song for Islington, where he grew up.

The song quickly began being shared by Arsenal supporters across social media, with it eventually reaching Arteta. In May 2022, Dunford was invited by the club to attend the Gunners’ home fixture against Leeds United, and the home fans began to sing his song ahead of kick off.

How Will PSG Supporters Respond With Their Own Anthem?

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. By comparison, PSG’s Ligue 1 title was its fifth straight and record-extending 14th overall, but up until last year PSG had never won the Champions League, and at one stage it seemed an impossible ambition.

The anthem became a symbol of unity after supporters returned to the Parc des Princes under the banner of the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP). The club’s Ultras came up with it after finally being allowed back into PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, under the new collective name of Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP). Backed up by a steady drum and sung slowly with stretched-out sentences, it goes:

Paris S G,
Tous ensemble on chantera (All together we will sing),
Cet amour qu’on a pour toi (This love we have for you),
Qui ne cessera jamais (Which will never end).
Après tant d’années (After so many years),
De galères et de combats (Of setbacks and struggles),
Oh pour toi Paris SG (Oh for you PSG),
On va se casser la voix (We will break our voices)

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. Fans belted it out in Munich last year when PSG routed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League.

PSG coach Luis Enrique joined in with the fans this year after his side eliminated Munich following a pulsating semifinal. In June 2024, after winning the Champions League, Luis Enrique surprised everyone by singing “Tous ensemble on chantera” in French during a bike ride, a video that circulated widely.

The song’s lyrics recall years of hardship and perseverance, highlighting the bond between the club and its supporters. PSG’s current success marks a dramatic transformation from earlier decades, when the club struggled with poor performances and serious hooliganism issues.

What Dark Days Did PSG Overcome Before European Success?

The song’s lyrics recall years of hardship and perseverance, highlighting the bond between the club and its supporters. PSG’s current success marks a dramatic transformation from earlier decades, when the club struggled with poor performances and serious hooliganism issues. Such upbeat scenes were a stark contrast from PSG’s past.

When Arsenal reached the Champions League final in 2006 — losing to Barcelona in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis — PSG was nowhere near Europe’s elite. Arsenal made club history by reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, but Barcelona then comfortably held onto their lead to record 2-1 victory at the Stade de France on May 17, 2006.

Unsuccessful on the field, PSG was also dealing with a major hooliganism problem which began in the late 1980s and saw several big fights near the Parc des Princes stadium — including against Arsenal in 1994.

A PSG fan was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in 2006 following a home match against Hapoël Tel-Aviv in the UEFA Cup. The officer was protecting a fan of Hapoël Tel-Aviv from a threatening mob which had surrounded him.

On the field, PSG was almost relegated to the second tier in 2008, staying up with an away win on the final day. Soccer violence resulted in another death in 2010 following a violent clash, the result of a vicious feud between rival sets of PSG fans.

Qatari-backed QSI bought PSG in 2011 and bankrolled billions. Coincidentally, their emergence as one of world soccer’s most powerful clubs coincided with the start of Luis Enrique’s managerial career at the top level in 2011, with both becoming mainstays at the elite European level ever since. Between their foundation in 1970 and QSI taking full control in 2012, PSG won only two league titles in France and had just one major European trophy to their name, the 1995-96 Cup Winners’ Cup.

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. But despite signing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi, PSG could not win the Champions League — until Enrique took charge in 2023. In the 2025 Champions League final, PSG decisively defeated Inter Milan with a stunning 5-0 scoreline, marking the largest margin of victory for any finalist in the history of the tournament. Désiré Doué scored twice as PSG outclassed Inter to win the Champions League final 5-0 in Munich’s Allianz Arena.

How Has Luis Enrique Transformed PSG’s Approach?

Out went Neymar and Mbappé and a new team was built around selflessness and teamwork. Enrique incorporated young players like Désiré Doué, re-motivated Ousmane Dembélé, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, and made a game-changing decision when he signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 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.

How Luis Enrique took control of Paris Saint-Germain and became football’s most complete coach has been the subject of extensive analysis. Enrique, 56, stood out with Real Madrid and Barcelona as an excellent midfielder. Spaniards Enrique and Arteta were excellent midfielders. Enrique and Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta share a connection through their time at Barcelona, having encountered each other during their playing days in Catalonia.

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. Arteta, 44, played at PSG from 2000-02 and Arsenal from 2011-16. Arteta has expressed his admiration for Enrique ahead of the match, referring to him as a “reference” for his own coaching journey.

“He has always been a role model since his playing days, as he was a truly remarkable player,”

Arteta mentioned in his pre-match press briefing.

“Then, when he transitioned into coaching, his path—leaving Spain, going abroad, and returning—along with his achievements, especially with this PSG team, is evident in the way they play”.

Luis Enrique has said Paris Saint-Germain can cement their status as ‘one of the best teams in the world’ with back-to-back Champions League titles. In the history of the Champions League, only one team, Real Madrid, has managed to defend the trophy, and coach Luis Enrique has acknowledged that this fact serves as a significant motivator for his squad. After clinching their first European title last season, Enrique is conscious of the challenge that Arsenal represents to his team’s ambitions.

What History Is Arsenal Chasing in Budapest?

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. Arsenal now have to firmly shift their focus to the Champions League final in Budapest as they look to dethrone current holders Paris Saint-Germain. The focus in the Arsenal camp remains unwavering as they seek to complete a historic double, with the showpiece event set to take place on May 30.

Mikel Arteta has opened up on the psychological shift that powered Arsenal to their first Premier League title in over two decades. After years of near-misses, the Spaniard led the Gunners to a historic triumph, finishing ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a relentless race for supremacy. Arsenal have finally climbed back to the summit of English football, securing the 2025-26 Premier League title and ending over two decades of hurt. After finishing as runners-up for three successive seasons, Arteta’s side finally proved they had the mental fortitude to outlast City.

“We made history again together” — Mikel Arteta reflected after Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 20 years. Mikel Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Season at the LMA’s after he took Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years. It took 22 years, but Arsenal is finally once again the toast of England’s top flight.

Arsenal’s anthem has peaked at No3 in the iTunes charts after the Gunners’ won the Premier League title. Mikel Arteta’s men had their first top-flight trophy since 2004 confirmed on Tuesday after Manchester City failed to win at Bournemouth, leaving an unassailable four-point gap at the top with just one match to play. Wild celebrations broke out across the capital, with thousands of Arsenal fans flocking to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to mark a historic and long-awaited day in the club’s history.

Dunford took to X on Wednesday to express his gratitude to the Arsenal fans, writing: “We’re #3 in the iTunes chart now”, accompanied by the ‘eyes’ emoji, perhaps in the hope of sparking a drive for the No1 position. On Thursday morning, ‘The Angel (North London Forever)’ had slipped to No4 in the rankings.

Background: The Development of Fan Anthems in European Football

The Champions League final anthem battle between Arsenal and PSG represents a significant development in how football clubs’ identities are expressed through fan culture. Louis Dunford’s “The Angel (North London Forever)” was released on 25 February 2022 by RCA Records as the second single from his second EP ‘The Popham’. Since then, the song has been regarded as Arsenal’s anthem, and it is played before every home game at the Emirates Stadium. While long-established songs such as ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ have been part of football culture for generations, ‘North London Forever’ has quickly made its mark since it was adopted by Arsenal in 2022.

The melody for PSG’s “Tous ensemble on chantera” originates from the song “Sará perché ti amo” (1981) by the Italian pop group Ricchi e Poveri. While it is often associated with French football, its roots and modern popularity are deeply connected to Italian ultra culture, which frequently exchanges chants with the Curva Nord of Inter and other Italian curves.

The specific French lyrics were popularized by PSG fans following the return of ultras to the Parc des Princes in the early 2010s. By 2024 and 2025, the song became so iconic that PSG adopted a symphonic version played at the Parc des Princes to celebrate championship titles. During PSG’s 2025 Champions League run, the song became an unofficial anthem, echoing throughout the Allianz Arena during the final in Munich.

Prediction: How This Anthem Battle Will Affect North London Arsenal Fans

Should Arsenal secure their first Champions League title in Budapest, the impact on north London communities will be profound. The singing in north London will be deafening, with “North London Forever” expected to echo across Islington, Highbury, and the entire Emirates area. For Arsenal fans who have waited 22 years for a Premier League title and decades for European glory, this victory would represents the culmination of Mikel Arteta’s rebuilding project.

The anthem battle itself will likely intensify the emotional atmosphere for both sets of supporters. North London fans traveling to Budapest or watching at home will experience heightened anticipation as their signature song competes with PSG’s “Tous ensemble on chantera”.

For local businesses, community groups, and residents across north London, a Champions League victory would trigger celebrations comparable to the 2004 Premier League title, but potentially larger given the global significance of European football’s premier competition.

The cultural impact extends beyond the match itself. “North London Forever” has already become a defining part of north London’s cultural identity, with its lyrics capturing the essence of Islington’s changing manor while celebrating enduring community bonds.

A Champions League victory would cement the song’s place in football history and north London’s collective memory, potentially elevating it to the same status as traditional football anthems that have defined clubs for generations.