Arsenal are flying high after securing a historic spot in the Champions League final—their first in two decades—but not everyone at the club is celebrating. While the team prepares for a shot at European glory in Budapest, behind-the-scenes travel decisions have reportedly left some staff feeling frustrated and undervalued.
The Gunners' remarkable run to the final has brought both prestige and a significant financial windfall, putting the club in the global spotlight. However, when it comes to staff travel arrangements for the showpiece event, comparisons are already being drawn with Paris Saint-Germain—and they’re not flattering for Arsenal.
PSG recently announced that all club staff would receive free travel and match tickets for the final, a gesture that naturally raised expectations among Arsenal employees. Many hoped the north London club would follow suit, especially given the revenue generated by this season’s European campaign.
Instead, Arsenal have taken a different route. According to The Daily Mail, staff members are being asked to pay £859 for travel packages to attend the final in Budapest. The decision has reportedly caused disappointment among some employees, who feel the club could have handled the situation more generously.
“It’s not about entitlement, but when you see a rival club covering everything for their staff, it stings a little,” one source close to the situation shared. “Especially when the team’s success has brought in so much money.”
Despite the frustration, many staff members are still expected to make the trip to Budapest. For them, the chance to witness what could be one of the most defining moments in Arsenal’s modern history is too good to pass up—even if it comes at a personal cost.
As the Gunners gear up for a night that could define a generation, the travel controversy serves as a reminder that even the biggest victories can come with complicated off-pitch logistics. For now, all eyes remain on the final, where Arsenal will look to bring the Champions League trophy home for the first time in club history.