According to members of the visiting camp, a great deal has evolved since Arsenal last hosted Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium. Seven months is a considerable period, coach Luis Enrique stressed, noting that his team has needed to `pull their socks up` following a challenging league phase campaign. Midfielder Vitinha also affirmed the changes, stating things are `obviously` different.
And they are certainly correct. The PSG side that arrived at the Emirates on October 1st appeared composed with the ball but struggled significantly to threaten Arsenal`s defense, notably William Saliba and his teammates. Their front three managed only one shot, with their best opportunity coming via Achraf Hakimi just seconds before the end of normal time. With Ousmane Dembele sidelined and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia yet to join from Napoli, there was little to suggest Luis Enrique was on his way to building one of Europe`s most formidable attacks.
Arsenal, too, presented differently. The defensive solidity provided by Gabriel (now out for the season with a hamstring injury) alongside William Saliba made playing without the ball easier, especially with the protection offered by Thomas Partey (suspended at the time) and Declan Rice. That match was one instance where the 4-4-2 formation, without Martin Odegaard, looked highly effective. Leandro Trossard is likely to be the only player from that specific starting lineup to feature again, with Odegaard returning but Kai Havertz having departed.
Personnel have shifted. PSG`s potential has increased, while the consistency of Arsenal`s performance level is a point of discussion. However, what is highly probable to remain constant is Arsenal`s approach to starting the game.
When asked by CBS Sports about what he planned to carry over from the previous win to the upcoming match, Arteta stated, “I loved the presence, the immediate way we started. Our body language, the intensity, how aggressive we were. We played with genuine belief and determination. When you face strong opponents, you immediately need to set the tone for the game in that manner.”
Arteta was accurate; Arsenal displayed maximum assertiveness. From the outset, players like Rice, Saliba, and Jurrien Timber imposed themselves on their opponents. They engaged in early duels forcefully, with Timber notably shutting down Bradley Barcola almost completely. From defense to attack, Arteta`s team functioned as a cohesive unit. Bukayo Saka won more tackles than anyone else, and Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were effective in both PSG`s half and their own.
This collective approach has largely defined Arsenal`s Champions League campaign. While opponents like Real Madrid sometimes looked like collections of individuals, Arsenal has been a relentlessly disciplined side. PSG is no longer the team known for optional defending during their superstar hoarding era, but a side that has come together over just months will find it challenging to match the synchronicity Arsenal has built over years.
Arteta added, “I draw many lessons from the game we played here. We understand how strong they are as a team, the quality of their individual players. But we possess similar strengths. At this stage, the margins between the two teams are minimal. Success truly comes down to mindset, attitude, and how we execute our game plan.”
This contrasts sharply with the mood within the PSG camp, even if they react defensively when the strength of Arsenal`s midfield is mentioned.
It`s understandable, considering their inability to challenge Arsenal effectively last time. That defeat in London contributed to a worrying start for the French champions in the competition, followed by losses to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. For a time, their progression to the league phase`s top 24 seemed uncertain. Then came the arrival of Kvaratskhelia and the emergence of Dembele as a legitimate Ballon d`Or candidate. It seems highly unlikely this PSG team will be limited to just 0.4 expected goals again.
“There are massive differences,” said Luis Enrique. “I`ve reviewed the game from early October. We are better now than we showed then. In the league phase, we had the most intense group, and now we are in the semifinals. We played matches that felt like UCL finals.”
“It didn`t place us in an ideal position, but it was a positive experience. We had to really improve. Now we are a very complete team.”
While PSG`s quality has improved, they may still find themselves facing superior numbers on the field on Tuesday. At least, they will if Arteta`s plea to the Emirates crowd is answered. “Bring your boots, bring your shorts, bring your T-shirts, and let`s play every ball together,” he urged Arsenal supporters.
The previous meeting felt unusually muted for a significant league phase match. With six rounds still to play, the immediate importance of three points wasn`t fully felt in the first year of the Swiss system. The Emirates Stadium had yearned for more grand European nights, but that fixture didn`t quite capture the feeling.
What did feel special was the stunning victory over Real Madrid, possibly the most joyous night in the ground`s nearly 20-year history. Or perhaps, the most joyous night so far. Arteta desires more. “We want to achieve something extraordinary,” he stated. “That place needs to be exceptional, something we haven`t witnessed before. And I truly hope everyone who comes to the Emirates tomorrow, and those watching and supporting us, brings that energy with them.”
“Tomorrow represents a huge opportunity for us as a club, as supporters, to show who we are and how much further we aspire to go together.”
In the seven months since their last encounter, the balance appears to have shifted somewhat in PSG`s favor. They field an improved starting lineup and arrive at the semifinal stage without injuries or suspensions. They have transformed as a team, but they cannot alter Arsenal`s fundamental identity. Arsenal remains a side defined by the `presence, aggression, and intensity` capable of disrupting any opponent. When they have 57,000 fans in the stands amplifying that effort, perhaps the outcome will be another element that remains unchanged.
