News and comments in the build-up to the Champions League final between Barcelona and Arsenal.
UPDATES FROM FANS AND OUR REPORTERS
1845 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
The red carpet is being rolled out and former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch has arrived, along with Johan Cruyff, who coached Barcelona to the European Cup in 1992 against Sampdoria.
1800 BST: Rosie B, Barcelona, via email
I am at the Camp Nou trying to get home from work. The atmosphere is electric. You'd think the match was here!
1755 BST: Charlie, Paris
Finally made it to Paris after a long, long journey - although they did at least serve alcoholic beverages on the train. Red and white, and yellow, everywhere at the Gare du Nord.
1750 BST: Peter, England, via email
Just about made it to the end of shift at work as I can't wait to leave, get home and head down to the pub with my fellow Arsenal-supporting mates. I just feel that we are going to do it tonight and make history as the first London club to win the Champions League.
1745 BST: Kate, Liverpool, via email
My boyfriend's from Barcelona and in a state of frenzy: he called me at 3am this morning to tell me how nervous he was.
 |  Who are Arsenal playing? France? |
1740 BST: Jonathan Dearth, UK, via email
Until yesterday, I was the Mayor of Islington, where Arsenal is one of our proudest possessions. Tonight is going to be huge for Islington and Arsenal. The driver of the Mayor's car says he hasn't slept for three days as he's so nervous.
1735 BST: Matt Fskin, Paris, via email
I'm having a keepy-uppy session under the Eiffel Tower with my friend Henners and a loads of Barca fans. Great atmosphere!
1730 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
They seem to have opened the gates at the Stade de France. It's clouded over and the wind's picking up. I chatted to Arsenal reserve Jeremie Aliadiere earlier. He's in Clairefontaine but he told me he's got to wait for his brother to finish school before they can set off for Paris.
1720 BST: Toby D, England, via email
I am milling around the Notre Dame area waiting to meet up with a French mate. The French want the Gunners to win. Accosted earlier in the day by a mad Italian who wants Barcelona to exact revenge for the Juve defeat.
1715 BST: Richard, England, via email
What a night in store. There's three generations of Gooners round my Dad's house to watch the match. Come on the Arsenal.
1700 BST: Rossco, Paris, via email
Just managed to purchase a ticket outside the Stade de France after a lot of haggling. �1700, but hopefully be worth it!
1650 BST: Dan and Mike, England, via email
We are in Paris, eating camembert. Taste buds are tingling, nerves are jangling. Come on the Reds.
1630 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
I've just sneaked into one of the corporate hospitality suites. On the menu for the corporates tonight: Cocktail apertif, Thin tart of fresh codfish and tomato virgin sauce, Cockerel "en crapaudine", roasted mushroom and tomate, thick French fries "pont neuf" or Salmon fillet and moulded aubergine with parmesan cheese and tomato butter sauce, Strawberry pastry and lemon mousse in a glass, an iced lollipop and red fruits sauce.
1615 BST: Mark Lawrenson, BBC Five Live in Paris
0-0 and penalties is a possibility. Like any major final, we need an early goal because that forces the team that concedes to change tactics. I think if Barca get the early goal, you might get the classic final everyone wants. 1600 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
I've just spoken to a Barcelona fan who's trying to sell his ticket for 4000 euros (�2,700). Another Barca fan has bought himself eight match programmes at 10 euros (�7) apiece.
1550 BST: Baz, Paris, via email
Just arrived and the noise is deafening! Was on same train as some of Sol's family and they say Sol is really up for tonight! Can't wait.
1545 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
To the left of the Stade de France station, hundreds of Barca fans are congregating on a football pitch where the club have set up a base for their supporters. Lots of them are actually asleep - which is impressive given that French rappers Les Poetes Maudits are playing at the moment.
1535 BST: Charlie, en route to Paris
Hurtling to Paris courtesy of SNCF, we get the first sign that Arsenal will have the local support as the ticket inspector engages us in conversation about Thierry and Bobby P.
| Celebrity fan Nick Hornby has been spotted having lunch in the posh brasserie Terminus Nord |
1530 BST: Patricia, England, via email
My mum, who is 70+, is in Paris for the match with her friend. She has supported Arsenal for over 30 years, nearly all of them as a season ticket holder. I keep getting texts from her saying what a great time she is having.
1525 BST: Andy F, Paris
The Arsenal fans around the Gare du Nord are in high spirits. They've taken over all the bars outside the station and there is a new song being rehearsed about Spurs and lasagne. Meanwhile, celebrity fan Nick Hornby has been spotted having lunch in the posh brasserie Terminus Nord.
1520 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
I've just been speaking to John Reilly, who played for Dundee United between 1979 and 1985 and scored their first ever European Cup goal. John and his son say they'll be supporting Barcelona - on anti-English grounds.
1500 BST: David, Paris, via email
Just in my hotel room at the moment waiting and the atmosphere is amazing here, truly awesome. Arsenal fans are fired up and a glimpse of Arsenal players shows that they're really up for it.
1425 BST: Kristen, Paris, via email
Sitting at work in Paris, I can hear both sides chanting and shouting outside. There are literally thousands of supporters walking the streets of Paris and definitely a certain electricity in the air.
1410 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
Just arrived at the Stade de France - stadium looks like a giant spaceship that has just landed in northern Paris. Hundreds of Arsenal and Barca fans milling around and the approaches to the stadium from the railway station, which is 500 metres from the ground.
1300 BST: David, Paris, via email
I can assure you that there are thousands of Arsenal fans by Gare du Nord singing very loudly - does not help me concentrate on work but it's a great atmosphere.
1245 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
I'm beneath the Eiffel Tower where hundreds of Barcelona fans outnumber Arsenal supporters by 50-1. They are chanting Barca! Barca! to the cacophonic sound of car horns.
1230 BST: Jack Davy, Paris, via email
Just seen the Arsenal team go for a stroll around the hotel they're staying in and they look very focused.
| I've just bumped into some of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas' family at the Eiffel Tower |
1220 BST: Naveen, Paris, via-email
I flew in this morning from England in the hope of getting a ticket but still haven't got one as crazy money is being asked. But I'm loving the atmosphere and weather.
1205 BST: Tony, Paris, via e-mail
The atmosphere is amazing! Just walked past the hotel Arsenal is staying at, Henry is looking out of this balcony. He just waved.
1155 BST: Pete , Paris, via our reporter
The atmosphere is unbelievable, but at the moment we're outnumbered by about 50-1. On Tuesday the Champs Elysees was filled with Arsenal supporters, so I'm presuming they are all nursing hangovers.
1135 BST: Paul, Paris, via-email
The atmosphere here is amazing - both sets of fans get on very well. I think this could be a classic. Wenger has to go for the throat and punish them, if he allows Barca to attack us it could be fatal.
1115 BST: Liam, Paris, via-email
I'm here to cheer on Arsenal and have just played football in front of the Eiffel Tower against some Barca fans. Amazing, and we beat them. A sign maybe?
1100 BST: Dominic Chadwick, Paris, via-email
I live in Paris and went in search of the Arsenal contingent last night. There were thousands of them and I only found a handful of people who actually had tickets to the game.
1045 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
Tickets are fetching up to �2,000 as fans try to get their hands on the few that may be available.
1010 BST: James, England, via-email:
I've been up since 4am! It's like Christmas! I should be studying for an exam tomorrow but who cares!
1000 BST: Russell Fothergill, Paris, via-email
Lots of Barca fans singing and chanting by the Seine and Louvre this morning. It's a beautiful day in Paris and bubbling up for a classic.
0945 BST: Mike Ingham, BBC Radio Five Live
Objectively, looking at the line-ups, you have to say Barcelona will win. If Wenger plays Jose Antonio Reyes, it will indicate he is prepared to take Barcelona on. If he goes with Pires it's not such a great sign because it suggests he's more concerned with containing Barcelona.
0930 BST: John Sinnott, BBC Sport in Paris
I've just bumped into some of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas' family, including his mother, doing some sight-seeing at the Eiffel Tower. They've all got yellow Arsenal shirts on with Fabregas on the back of them. 0900 BST: Andy F, via e-mail
Arsenal fans are gathering en masse at Folkestone to get the Eurotunnel over to Calais. Everyone is buying breakfast and swapping tales of how they got their tickets while others are already doing the rounds to see if anyone has any spares.
PREDICTIONS
I think Barcelona will set the tempo of the game tonight and obviously they are favourites to lift the cup. My prediction is Barcelona to win 1-0 but the prospect of Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry winning the Champions League in Paris is a phenomenal thought.
Caza D, England
I think Arsenal are going to win 2-0. Can't see Lehmann conceding but I can see Henry and Reyes grabbing the goals for us. William Lochrie, England
Barcelona to win 3-1 with Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Larsson scoring. Parierisas Benedet, Paris
Arsenal to win 2-1. They go 1-0 down and then Henry hits two in the second half. He runs off at full time and signs a new Arsenal contract and then collects the trophy. Mat Guy, England
I am predicting the classic score of 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Jai, England
Barca to win 4-0. Arsenal have ridden their luck a bit too long.
Abz, Uk
NEWS UPDATES
Team news: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has gone for the experience of Robert Pires in midfield, with Jose Reyes on the bench.
Man in the middle:
Terje Hauge
The 40-year-old from Bergen will become the first Norwegian to take charge of a Champions League final. He made it on to Fifa's international list on 1993. But the controversy about the match officials surrounds assistant referee Ole Hermann Borgan being pictured in a Barcelona shirt and, consequently, axed from the final. Weather news: It seems like it is set to be a warm day in Paris following fair start to the day.
Newspaper headlines: Most of the papers are following up the story of the linesman who has been axed from running the line at the game after being pictured in a Barcelona shirt. There is also a sense of this being a game Arsenal's date with destiny while the uncertainty over Thierry Henry's future is another source of interest.
MANAGERS AND PUNDITS
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
"I always believed there was something special about this team. They have a combination of humility, hunger, strength, togetherness and talent. "We have worked hard and improved a lot - now we want to finish the job.
"When you get to the final you want to take the cup home and I am convinced we are ready for the challenge. We have peaked at the right moment."
Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard
"My players are very excited, motivated and very united. But to think that we are favourites to win would be a grave error. "Everything starts with being humble and we know we have to go for them from the first minute.
"All I want is that my players show how they can play, nothing more."
Actor Ben Richards (Bruno in Footballers Wives)
"It could go any way really. As an Arsenal fan I have got to hope we are going to do it. The clever money is on Barcelona they are the favorites. "But we can do it, we have the ability to do it. Look at how we beat Real Madrid in the Bernabau.
"If it goes to penalties I think we are definitely going to do it - Jen's Lehman is the man. He is the penalty man."
Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams
"It's very difficult to call. Both teams are excellent and can open up doors. "It could come down to a set play - Arsenal are better in both boxes. I don't see Arsene Wenger man-marking Ronaldinho - they'll try to keep their formation, keep compact and counter-attack with pace.
"Flamini and Senderos have done tremendously well and deserve a shot. Flamini has been phenomenal, but I believe Ashley Cole will play.
"But if Senderos is fit, I think Arsene will give him a go - he deserves a shout."
TV presenter and Arsenal fan Normski
"I am sending out the positive vibes - I think my boys can do it. "It's all about the attitude they need to go out there and strut their funky stuff.
"If they play with confidence and style they can bring the cup back to London.
Former England manager Graham Taylor
"I think this is going to be 1-0. I would hope Arsenal would play in the manner we know they can. If they play in that style, they're very hard to handle. "But I have a funny feeling both teams are going to look at each other a little and it may not have all the qualities we all want it to have.
"There's been a lot of stuff written about the pressure on Arsenal's youngsters, but there's a lot of pressure on Barcelona because they've only won the European Cup once and are expected to win."
Arsenal fan and BBC Radio Two presenter Dermot O'Leary
"The way Barcelona play suits us. We struggled against Villarreal, we were a bit too cautious against them. "We are far better off as underdogs - we can go out and play our own game.
"I don't think they can boss us, and that's a good thing because Fabregas needs that extra space and time."
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole
"Thierry Henry's probably had a lot on his mind and to do what he has done he's been unbelievable. "He's a great captain and he gets everybody up for the game which you want your captain to do.
"He's scores goals and sets them up. What more do you want in a player? He's a great person as well."
BBC presenter Graham Norton
"Who are Arsenal playing? France? "No they can't be playing France...oh, Barcelona. Why are they in Paris? Seems a bit random.
"My prediction? Arsenal might win."
Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson
"Frank Rijkaard is a fantastic coach and wants to be attacking but at the same time we don't want to give too much space away to Arsenal. "It's not a question of being more cautious, it's about concentration. There's always pressure and everybody's used to it."
England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson
"I think Arsenal have a good chance. I suppose he (Arsene Wenger) will play Henry up front and five in midfield. If they do that, I think they will cause Barcelona a lot of problems." 
MMIX
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