Arsenal were not expected to be in the Champions League semifinal as they were given no chance whatsoever to topple reigning champions Real Madrid in their quarterfinal tie. Mikel Arteta’s men not only won both their games against the Spaniards but utterly dominated either tie to accumulate an aggregate scoreline of 5-1.
Arteta’s side will now host a PSG side to stake a claim for a place in the Munich Final, with the Gunners already having a slight upper hand given they beat them in the league phase. Back then, the clash was played at the Emirates as goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensured three points for Arsenal, and their manager will hope for a similar outcome.
Arsenal, much like all the other Champions League semifinalists appeared to take their focus off domestic matters, which was evident in their performance against Crystal Palace in midweek. However, there’s confidence from Arteta as well as the supporters to find the right balance against PSG to put in another strong performance in this mammoth Champions League semifinal first leg.
Luis Enrique might have been fuming with his side’s performances over the last week or so, as this PSG side may have lost its way with one of their prime objectives. The Parisians played a re-scheduled fixture with Nantes in midweek while competing with OGC Nice on Friday night, with both resulting in dismal displays.
PSG were on course to stay unbeaten in Ligue 1 and become the first team to stay that way for the entire season. However, OGC Nice dealt their chances to make history a bitter blow following a stellar 1-3 reverse win in Paris, which does add to the question marks on this team ahead of this visit to the Emirates.
Some of the question marks over their defensive ability and to control games were asked in the aftermath of the Champions League quarterfinals second leg against Aston Villa. Despite taking a two-goal lead at Villa Park, Enrique’s men let the hosts come back into the game to make up for a nervy finish. The Spanish coach will want a near-perfect display from his men in north London, as they will want to take an advantage back to Paris.
The big blow for the Gunners came at the Santiago Bernabeu following Thomas Partey’s late booking in the game. Since the end of the quarterfinals, all accumulated yellow cards will be wiped clear ahead of the semifinal clashes, but the Ghanaian must serve a one-match ban which will see him miss this clash at the Emirates.
Arteta did experiment with his lineup over the last two Premier League games, which did indicate what might be his preferred setup for the first leg. The big issue will be to find a balance in midfield with Partey missing, as Declan Rice might feature in the Ghanaian’s role.
Arteta used Mikel Merino besides Rice in the midfield setup against Ipswich Town, with Leandro Trossard leading the line. That might be the idea for the first leg at the Emirates, with the rest of his selections are likely to be familiar.
The fact that Merino and Ben White missed the Palace game will keep fans waiting on the news over their fitness, although the wider expectation is for the dup to turn up fit. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to feature in the front three, while Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly are all expected to form the backline.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Enrique has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the trip to north London, although the Spanish coach will make tactical changes depending on how he wants the team to play. PSG were full strength against OGC Nice on Friday night and it might be the case that a similar side takes the pitch at the Emirates.
One of the possible changes could be on the wings as Bradley Barcola could replace Desire Doue. Enrique’s wingers usually keep swapping positions, meaning Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will start on the right-hand side, while Ousmane Dembele will play centrally, at least on paper.
The latter missed the clash at the Emirates in the league phase due to a fallout with Enrique, however, he has since repaired his relationship and turned out as one of the in-form attackers in the world coming to this stage of the season.
Enrique will not tweak too many things in the other parts of the pitch, with Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves to start in midfield. Key full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will be joined by Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in the backline, as Enrique will hope this team is enough to cause Arsenal problems.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
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There are so many battles across the pitch ahead of this game between Arsenal and PSG. However, the one that stands out is in the centre of the pitch, as Rice will be the man in focus as he has more responsibilities ahead of this clash.
With Partey missing from the first leg with a suspension, Arteta will want another masterclass from Rice, albeit in a different role than the previous two games. There’s a feeling around the game that whoever controls the midfield will end up with an advantage, as Rice will be the key man for Arsenal in this regard.
PSG are one of the lethal attacking sides in the top five leagues and they have certainly showed mettle in the Champions League. The attacking trio of Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola might prove decisive, but Enrique will need balance across the pitch to have a chance for a complete performance.
Arsenal are still missing many key stars in their squad, and despite that Arteta has shown he can bring balance in this setup. The Gunners also have home advantage, as they are the favourites to take a slender advantage to Paris for the second leg.
