The UEFA Champions League semifinals are set to begin this Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain with a coveted spot in next month`s final on the line.
This match marks Arsenal`s return to the Champions League semifinals after a 16-year absence, while PSG reaches this stage for the fourth time in the last six seasons. The teams previously met in the group phase in North London, a match Arsenal won 2-0. However, six months have brought significant changes, transforming the French champions into strong contenders, now considered the second favorites to lift the Champions League trophy. A highly competitive tie is anticipated for both sides.
Arsenal recently delivered a dominant performance against Real Madrid, securing a commanding 2-0 victory that underscored their continued progress under manager Mikel Arteta. The two clubs are on different trajectories currently – PSG are in contention for a potential treble, while this season represents the introduction of Luis Enrique`s new tactical vision. For Arsenal, securing silverware this season might be crucial to validate their advancement and counter any perception of having plateaued in Arteta`s fifth year at the helm.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, April 29
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Emirates Stadium — London, England
- Odds: Arsenal +105; Draw +250; Paris Saint-Germain +250
Last Meeting
Their previous encounter in October saw Arsenal claim a relatively comfortable 2-0 win, with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal demonstrated efficiency, putting five out of their six shots on target and outperforming PSG in expected goals (0.71 xG vs. 0.4 xG from 10 shots). It was a subdued performance from Enrique`s squad at the time, highlighting early challenges in the group stage and managing expectations without Kylian Mbappe. However, the mood and form in the French capital have shifted considerably since then.
What the Managers Said
Champions League semifinals are infrequent occasions for Arsenal, particularly when facing opponents with more recent experience at this level like PSG. However, the Gunners carry a newfound confidence after their impressive dispatch of Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, leading to a notable mindset shift within the team. As Mikel Arteta articulated in his pre-match comments, Arsenal now matches its talent with a firm belief in their ability to go all the way.
“It`s just visualising it,” he said. “To be convinced. You go on that pitch thinking we`re going to beat them, we`re going to be better than them tomorrow and do everything we understand is the right thing to win the game. Go there with a conviction. Feel the conviction around, that is key. To create that energy, we are going to be much closer to winning the game. That`s what I feel in the team. That we are really looking forward to playing the game tomorrow and we`re going to give our very best to win the game.”
For Paris Saint-Germain, reaching the Champions League semifinals naturally brings a surge of confidence, especially for a side that has perhaps exceeded some expectations with their deep run. Luis Enrique`s team boasts a decent record against English clubs in recent campaigns, having secured positive results against teams like Manchester City and Liverpool. This track record contributes to their fighting spirit, as Enrique noted.
“In terms of confidence, it is very positive for us,” Enrique said. “We beat Liverpool and they won the Premier League this year. But that doesn`t mean anything because every single match is different. Everybody speaks about the Premier League as being the best league in the world. I don`t know if I agree or not. But we are full of confidence and looking forward to playing in the semifinal.”
The only prominent English side they haven`t overcome recently is Arsenal, but Enrique was quick to emphasize how much PSG has changed since their earlier meeting in North London.
“The game that you are talking about took place on 1 October so that was seven or eight months ago,” he said. “There are huge differences between now and then. I have reviewed the game, and seen how far our game has come and we are better now. We are a more complete team.”
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: David Raya; Jurien Timber, Wlliam Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino; Bakayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli
Paris Saint-Germain: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, FabianRuiz ; Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Player to Watch
Declan Rice, Arsenal: While Arsenal`s five-goal haul against Real Madrid was impressive, the bedrock of their quarterfinal success was a formidable defense that largely neutralized Los Blancos` star attackers over two legs. Declan Rice played a crucial role in disrupting Real Madrid`s build-up, while also adding two timely goals in the first leg. Facing a PSG side characterized by a high-intensity press and significant attacking threat, Rice`s defensive prowess and ability to control the midfield will be paramount. His performance will be key to keeping the visitors at bay and potentially steering Arsenal closer to their first Champions League final in almost two decades.
Storyline to Watch
Paris Saint-Germain`s Treble Pursuit: Only two teams remain in contention for a treble this season – Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. PSG has already secured the Ligue 1 title and is the favorite for the Coupe de France final in May. While a domestic double is expected, it is their performance in the Champions League that will ultimately define their season and serve as the benchmark for Luis Enrique`s reimagined, youth-focused squad in the coming years. Regardless of the outcome against Arsenal, PSG have been captivating and effective, solidifying their status as one of Europe`s most entertaining teams. The compelling question is how far this evolved team can realistically go, both in this challenging tie and beyond.
Prediction
As noted by Thierry Henry, this PSG team, with Luis Enrique`s distinct pressing philosophy, might present a tougher challenge than Real Madrid. Their unique tactical approach could subtly favor the visitors in this first leg. Anticipate a tightly contested match at the Emirates, but one that could potentially swing slightly in PSG`s favor heading into the decisive return leg in Paris.
Prediction: Arsenal 1, Paris Saint-Germain 2
