Morning all.
Well it’s finally here, the first leg of our Champions League semi-final clash with PSG.
PSG’s journey came via the playoffs having failed to qualify for the knockout stage automatically. They despatched Brest 10-0 over the two fixtures. In March, their first knockout round ended 1-1 against Liverpool with penalties needed to confirm their place in the next round. Aston Villa were next for the newly crowned French League Champions which proved to be a close affair. A 3-1 result in France, followed by a 3-2 loss at Villa Park was enough to scrape through. But for the excellent Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal would be up against Aston Villa tonight.
Arsenal’s journey to the semi-final has been more straightforward. No qualifying fixture required, a 9-3 aggregate crushing of PSV before defeating the current Champions League holders Real Madrid 5-1 over the two legs.
During the league format of this competition, Arsenal defeated PSG 2-0 at The Emirates. A goal each for Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka did the damage. PSG had their moments though with both Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves hitting the woodwork either side of half-time.
A few mistakes crept into the Crystal Palace performance but we’ve been over them before. Hopefully now they’re out, they’re over and never to be seen again. David Raya has been in good form all season and I’m sure he’ll be back to his best tonight. William Saliba too who I’m sure will not make the kind of pass he made on Wednesday again this season.
- Arsenal have never lost to PSG in European competition, having faced them five times previously.
- PSG have lost five of their past six away games against English sides in the Champions League.
I know, previous results mean nothing at all but Arsenal should take some positives from their defeat of tonight’s opponents earlier in this competition. This is different though as it’s a two legged affair but regardless, taking a lead to France would be huge.
It’s frustrating that we’ll be without Thomas Partey tonight as he’s suspended having picked up a stupid and totally unnecessary booking in Madrid but it’ll be interesting to see who comes in to replace him. Playing Declan Rice deeper seems the most logical although Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel Merino or going left field, Jurrien Timber could be in contention.
Both Ben White and Mikel Merino trained yesterday by the way which is great news. Riccardo Calafiori remains out though.
Mikel Arteta spoke about the fans yesterday during his press conference.
If it feels like the biggest game of his life:
It does and you sense it, you sense the energy, the enthusiasm that it’s something unique. It’s probably one of the biggest games that the Emirates have seen since we built it. We’re full of energy, enthusiasm and can’t wait to play the game tomorrow.
On creating an even better atmosphere than we did against Real Madrid.
I told them and I’m not exaggerating when I said bring your boots, bring your shorts, bring your t-shirts and let’s play every ball together. We want to do something special, that place has to be something special, something that we haven’t seen. I really hope that everybody who comes tomorrow to the Emirates and everybody watching and following us brings that energy with them.
The home fans didn’t disappoint in the last round and I very much doubt they will tonight. This game and this tie is huge for the club, the fans, the players and of course, Mikel Arteta and his staff.
Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:
Enrique sets PSG up in a 4-3-3, looking to control matches through quality possession. They average 61% of the ball in this season’s competition, and central midfield playmaker Vitinha is a dominant presence inside the engine room, keeping the ball ticking over with consummate ease.
PSG can draw opponents onto them, before punishing them swiftly from transitions. The French giants have made 317 dribbles across their 14 European games, while in contrast, we have attempted 178. The basis of their threat is built around a fast, fluid, and tremendously exciting front three. Ousmane Dembele nominally leads the line, but he will regularly drift wide and the wingers will all pop up centrally, making themselves difficult to track.
Flying full-backs Nuno Mendes [above] and Achraf Hakimi both pile forward as a matter of course, offering speed, penetration and creativity. Portugal international Mendes has scored four goals in Europe this season, including strikes home and away against Aston Villa, while the experienced Moroccan, Hakimi, has seven goal involvements – both are highs for defenders in this year’s competition.
Classy with and without the ball, they could be the best pair of full-backs in club football right now, but there are defensive cracks which can be opened up under pressure. Villa had a lot of joy when playing an aggressive, high-tempo game against PSG, and nine of the 14 goals conceded by the Ligue 1 champions have also come in the 15 minutes either side of half-time.
All sorts of predictions have been circulating on the internet about which club is favourite ahead of both semi-final as well as which club are more likely to win the competition. All of which is ridiculous in my opinion because football results cannot be predicted by humans or a computer. Who goes through to the final depends on the night and how the game unfolds.
One thing we do know is that Arsenal, if every player is on form, can beat the best in this game. That’s been proved on our Champions League journey so far. The fans will be up for this match, the players will be too. Hopefully, any nerves will soon fade and we see the best performance yet this season from the guys in red and white.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico, good pre-match post.
Wenger could never do it, he could never speak to the fans, it just wasn’t who he was, maybe he lacked the common touch?
Arteta alternatively has always recognised the value of the fans and how to make them feel part of the team, it’s as much down to him as anyone that the atmosphere at the Emirates has improved. He knows the right buttons to press to motivate the fans and I expect a raucous welcome to the teams tonight.
Morning Kev, thanks.
You’re right re Wenger. For a man who could speak many languages, he really didn’t know how to speak to the fans.
It’s often said though, those who are highly intelligent, lack common sense. 😂
Glad this one is being covered by Prime and not TNT. Watching on an iPad is frustrating.
It will be:
Men:Arsenal v Barcelona Final – Win
Wome: Arsenal v Barcelona Final – Win
This will make the club the first club to win Men’s and Women’s Champion League in the same year.
Enjoy the match everyone
I think you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself 😜
Good day Rico and all.
I think we’ll see Merino in for Partey with Rice playing a bit deeper when we are out of possession and Merino moving further up field when we attack.
No need to mess with the defence, Raya, Timber,Saliba, Kiwior, M L S. Will be just fine.
Here’s hoping!
Afternoon Cicero, I too think Merino and Rice which is a shame as Merino has been in good scoring form.
Merino can still get forward and I can see him and Trossard switching, that said it might be decided on dead ball situations?
Has anybody seen the ridiculous rumour concerning Raheem Sterling joining Wrexham???
Sterling is exactly the type of player Wrexham do not need…
Can’t help feeling that this rumour has Sterling’s agent written all over it.
As long as he’s not staying with us…. 😂