Preview: [Arsenal Vs PSG] Can The Gunners Reach First Champions League Final In 19 Years?
Preview: [Arsenal Vs PSG] Can The Gunners Reach First Champions League Final In 19 Years?
Arsenal travel to Paris needing a magical touch at the Parc des Princes to reach only their second-ever Champions League final.
Trailing 1-0 after the first leg in London, the Gunners must deliver something spectacular against PSG in the high-stakes UEFA Champions League semi-final clash. Ousmane Dembele struck the early blow that sealed a crucial 1-0 win for PSG at the Emirates.
That goal gave PSG their first-ever victory over the Gunners in six meetings, having previously lost twice and drawn thrice against the North London giants.
Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward #29 Bradley Barcola (rear) reacts after missing to score past Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper #22 David Raya during the UEFA Champions League Semi-final First Leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium in north London, on April 29, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
In France, Mikel Arteta’s men would be aiming to return to England happier than they were in 2006. That year, Arsenal lost the Champions League to Barcelona in Paris in the club’s only Champions League final appearance to date.
Reaching the final is a herculean target for the Premier League giants who have never overturned a first-leg European deficit in five attempts.
Though history is not on Arsenal’s side, Coach Arteta believes his team can “do something special” in Paris and book a final date with Inter Milan, 19 years after losing to Barcelona in the same city.
Arsenal enter Wednesday’s match in poor form. They have failed to win their last three games, the most recent two resulting in losses. On Saturday, the North London side suffered a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth after taking the lead, and are at risk of finishing below second in the league — a position they have maintained in two previous campaigns.
Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder #23 Mikel Merino heads the ball to score a goal that will be disallowed due to an offside position during the UEFA Champions League Semi-final First Leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium in north London, on April 29, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Their opponents, PSG, have a similar story. The French champions have suffered defeats in their last two league games, but the Parisians have already wrapped up another domestic title before the losses. Over the weekend, Coach Luis Enrique fielded a second-string side in the Ligue 1 defeat away to Strasbourg.
Despite going into the game with an advantage, Enrique knows the quality of opposition that the Gunners bring and wants an even better outing for PSG than they did in the first leg London victory.
“We’re bound to suffer because our opponents don’t have a favourable result. We need to match our performance as closely as possible in the first leg to win the return leg and stay true to our ideas,” he said ahead of the clash.
PSG Form Guide: LWLDWL (most recent first)
Arsenal Form Guide: LLDWWD (most recent first)
PSG Vs Arsenal: Head-To-Head
The last six meetings between the two clubs:
PSG wins: 1
Arsenal wins: 2
Draws: 3
Team News: PSG
Dembele could not finish the match in London due to a hamstring concern. But Enrique confirmed he is fit and available, a major boost for PSG, who are expected to retain the same lineup as in the first leg.
Team News: Arsenal
Unlike PSG, Arsenal have suffered major injury setbacks this season, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Magalhães among others long-term absentees. Last week against the French giants, key midfielder Thomas Partey was missing in action. Suspended for the first game, Partey returns on Wednesday and is expected to play a crucial part in Arsenal’s bid to make history. Defender Jurrien Timber, who did not feature in the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, is also back and is expected to play. Italian Riccardo Calafiori also trained with the team and should be available for selection.
Match at a Glance: PSG Vs Arsenal – Kickoff Time, Venue, Date
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris in France.
Kickoff time: 8:00 pm (WAT/Nigeria time).
Competition: UEFA Champions League, semi-final second leg.
Prediction: Will PSG Seal the Deal or Arsenal Rewrite History?
With a place in the final up for grabs, the Gunners, who have faltered on the domestic front this campaign, need to do “something special” to write history at a crowded Parc des Princes. But PSG’s hunger for a first Champions League title, and their slender advantage, might prove decisive.