Arsenal must step it up against PSG in Champions League semifinal

Arsenal face PSG in a Champions League semifinal showdown, aiming for their first title despite key absences; PSG seek revenge after group stage loss.

Arsenal's season is hinged on whatever they do at the Emirates on Tuesday night against PSG, will they be up for it? (Photo credit: Opta)

It’s the day of reckoning for glory-hunting Arsenal, who must beat PSG over two legs to advance to the final of the UEFA Champions League.

Both sides have had different routes to the semifinals, with Arsenal losing only once since the beginning of the tournament and also beating PSG in the group phase; however, the French side has endured a tough run, including a near exit in the group phase.

PSG knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa from the tournament and are now on another mission to take out the final English side in the competition; however, the Gunners seem primed for their first Champions League triumph ever with dominant performances throughout the competition.

The Gunners will be without key man in midfield Thomas Partey, who bagged a yellow card in the second leg encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, the only dent in Arsenal’s super performance in the quarter finals, but coach Mikel Arteta insists the club will find a way to win without Partey.

The Ghanaian midfielder has been instrumental to the Gunner’s rise in the Champions League, and his performance over two legs against Real Madrid explains why many believe he would be a big miss. It’s now up to Arteta to decide how to set up in the absence of the Ghanaian.

PSG manager Luis Henrique has sent warning signals to the Gunners, telling them it won’t be the same as it was in the group stage, where the Paris-based side didn’t have a sniff of the Arsenal area as they succumbed to a 2-0 loss.

From that game, Arsenal would be missing Gabriel Magalhães, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season; Kai Havertz, who is also out till next term; and Partey, who would only be available for the second leg, while PSG would have the full complement of their men, including Ousmane Dembélé, who missed the group stage game.

Bukayo Saka is the man to watch; the England winger was a menace against Real Madrid over two legs and would be immense on the flanks against adventurous PSG full-backs. However, Henrique remains defiant that his side would cope against Saka.

Arsenal must also be wary of the likes of Kvicha Kvaratshkelia, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. Depending on whom the manager decides to start, it’s going to be a game of wit and pace. In the middle, it will be Declan Rice against Vitinha; who is your money on?