Arsenal are set to play their most crucial game of the season tonight as they welcome PSG for the first leg of an exciting Champions League semi-final tie.
Following Liverpool`s securing of the Premier League title on Sunday, Arsenal`s aspirations for silverware this campaign now rest solely on the Champions League trophy, which has historically eluded them.
Mikel Arteta`s squad approaches this tie with confidence, having impressively eliminated 15-time champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
However, they face a formidable PSG side. The French giants have already clinched their domestic league title, defeated Aston Villa in the last eight, and possess a potent attacking lineup now bolstered by the impactful January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Quarter-Final Recap: Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid.
In the second leg at the Bernabeu, key moments included Thibaut Courtois saving a penalty from Bukayo Saka early on, after a lengthy VAR review awarded the spot-kick. Minutes later, Real were awarded a penalty for a foul by Declan Rice on Kylian Mbappe, but the referee overturned his initial decision after consulting the monitor, providing Arsenal with a reprieve.
Just past the hour mark, Saka opened the scoring with a superb chipped finish. However, Arsenal`s four-goal aggregate lead was soon reduced when a mistake by William Saliba allowed Vinicius Jr to score into an open net.
In stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli sealed a spectacular display for the North London side, scoring a stunning goal to secure a 2-1 win on the night and a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
This result sees Arsenal reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.
Team News: Partey`s Absence and Potential Lineup
Mikel Arteta faces a significant selection headache for the first leg as Thomas Partey is suspended.
The Arsenal midfielder received a yellow card during the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. Partey, 31, was cautioned for his involvement in a confrontation with defender Antonio Rudiger, an action for which he was notably criticized by teammate Declan Rice.
With Partey unavailable, and Jorginho also sidelined through injury, Mikel Arteta will likely deploy Declan Rice deeper in the number six role. This tactical adjustment could see Mikel Merino return to a midfield position.
This change in the midfield structure might open up a starting opportunity for Leandro Trossard, who has recently shown excellent goal-scoring form.
A potential Arsenal starting eleven could be:
- Raya
- Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
- Rice, Merino, Odegaard
- Martinelli, Saka, Trossard
PSG Context
PSG recently suffered their first defeat in Ligue 1 this season against Nice, preventing them from emulating Arsenal`s historic `Invincibles` achievement.
Despite this loss, PSG comfortably wrapped up the Ligue 1 title weeks ago, finishing with a substantial 23-point lead over second-placed Marseille.
Ahead of their match against Nice, PSG supporters displayed a banner specifically aimed at Arsenal, adding another layer of rivalry to this European tie.
