London — Arsenal will host French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, with kickoff set for 8 PM (19:00 GMT).
Both clubs, among the most dynamic in Europe, are aiming to edge closer to Champions League glory.
Recent Meetings and Road to the Semifinals
The two teams last faced off on October 1, 2024, during the group stage, where Arsenal secured a confident 2-0 win over PSG with first-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. Since that loss, PSG has shown significant improvement under manager Luis Enrique, especially after disciplinary actions taken against star forward Ousmane Dembele.
Arsenal stormed into the semifinals by overpowering Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals, after thrashing PSV Eindhoven 9-3 in the round of 16. PSG, meanwhile, edged out Liverpool via penalties and defeated Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate to book their semifinal spot.
Team News: Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will have to adjust his midfield after Thomas Partey’s suspension. Mikel Merino is expected to step in, while Leandro Trossard moves forward into the attack. Injuries continue to plague the Gunners, with Jorginho (rib injury), Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori (knee injuries) doubtful. Key players Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all out for the season.
Team News: PSG
In contrast, PSG arrives with a fully fit squad. Despite losing their 30-match unbeaten Ligue 1 run against Nice, manager Luis Enrique is expected to stick with his regular starting XI, with a possible midfield change as Bradley Barcola could replace Desire Doue.
Mentor vs Protégé: Arteta vs Enrique
This semifinal also presents a fascinating tactical battle between Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique. Enrique, a senior player during Arteta’s early days at Barcelona, has significantly influenced the Arsenal manager’s coaching philosophy.
“I have really good memories of him,” Arteta said. “What I love is that his teams always have his fingerprints all over them — aggressive, dominant, attacking football.”
Predicted Lineups:
- Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
- PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Player to Watch:
- Ousmane Dembele (PSG): The French star has been electric this season, scoring 32 goals and providing 12 assists in Ligue 1, leading PSG to the league title with six games to spare. His form could be the difference in London.
The stage is set for a thrilling semifinal as Arsenal and PSG battle for a place in the Champions League final.
