Back
PSG vs Arsenal: Champions League Semi-Final Preview
Nineteen years after a painful night in Paris ended their dream of European glory, Arsenal return to the French capital with history hanging heavy in the air. This time, their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain carries the weight of a 1-0 first-leg deficit, following a night at the Emirates where the Gunners' intensity off the pitch failed to translate into output on it.
by Berba
PSG struck early through Ousmane Dembele, whose fourth-minute goal not only silenced North London but also matched Kylian Mbappe’s club record for most Champions League goal contributions in a single season. That strike proved decisive in an otherwise evenly contested match, though PSG will feel they were good value for their narrow win. A disallowed goal for Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was the closest the hosts came to salvaging something, but Luis Enrique’s men ultimately held firm to take a precious lead back to Paris.
Both sides suffered domestic stumbles over the weekend, albeit under different circumstances. PSG fell 2-1 to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 after resting most of their regular starters, a calculated gamble with an eye firmly on Europe. Arsenal, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 at home by Bournemouth despite fielding a near full-strength side. Declan Rice opened the scoring, but the Gunners' defensive frailties surfaced again as they conceded twice, marking the tenth time this season they've dropped points from a winning position in the league—an unwanted club record.
The historical context is not on Arsenal’s side. Only two clubs in Champions League history have overturned a home first-leg defeat at the semi-final stage to progress—Ajax in 1996 and Tottenham in 2019. However, Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in seven straight away games in all competitions and have won each of their last four on the road in Europe, scoring at least twice on every occasion. Replicating their 2-1 win in Madrid would force extra time, but PSG’s recent scoring form at home—14 goals in their last three Champions League matches at the Parc des Princes—underscores the scale of the challenge ahead.
On the injury front, PSG received a boost as Dembele has been cleared to play despite a hamstring scare. If needed, Goncalo Ramos is on standby, while Lee Kang-in remains a doubt. The midfield trio of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves are expected to anchor the hosts, with wide threats coming from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Arsenal welcome back Thomas Partey from suspension, a timely reinforcement in midfield. He is expected to line up alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, the latter having shaken off a minor knock sustained at the weekend. Jurrien Timber has also returned to training and could be available. However, several key names remain sidelined: Jorginho (lung), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are all still out, though there is faint hope Riccardo Calafiori could make the bench after a knee issue.
With a narrow lead and home advantage, PSG stand on the brink of their third Champions League final in recent history. But Arsenal have shown they can rise to the occasion on the road—whether they can rewrite history in Paris remains to be seen.