JAKARTA - Nearly two decades since Arsenal's first nightmare in the Champions League that took place in the French capital, history could have been repeated on Wednesday night 7 May, when the Gunners again faced Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the 2024/2025 Champions League semi-finals.
Ousmane Dembele's only goal at the Emirates Stadium made PSG bring home a narrow 1-0 advantage to the Parc des Princes. Arsenal are also required to create a big comeback moment if they want to qualify for the final, an achievement that only two teams in history managed to achieve after losing at home in the semifinal first leg.
Although Arsenal have silenced Real Madrid in Bernabeu in the quarter-finals, this time they face PSG who are the main favorites to win.
In the first leg, Dembele scored a quick goal in just four minutes, matching Kylian Mbappe's record as PSG's player with the most goals contribution in a Champions League season. Meanwhile, Mikel Merino's goal was ruled out for offside.
PSG came into this match less convincingly after losing 2-1 to Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Luis Enrique did field a coating team, but overall PSG only won twice the last six matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal also suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth despite lowering the majority of the main players. Declan Rice had put the Gunners ahead, but mistakes on the back again haunted them when Huijsen and Evanilson turned things around. This is the 10th time Arsenal have lost points from the lead this season a new bad score for the club.
But hope has not been completely extinguished. Arsenal recorded an impressive away record with seven games without losing, including four consecutive wins in the Champions League, all with a score of at least two goals. Arsenal's 2-1 win will take the game to extra time, but PSG's threat of scoring 14 goals in their last three home games in the Champions League made Arsenal's mission even tougher.
Unsatisfactory news for PSG came from Dembele, who suffered a hamstring injury and is still in doubt of appearing. Goncalo Ramos is likely to replace the role of the attacker. Meanwhile Lee Kang-in also had a minor injury and was not predicted to start.
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PSG midfielders are likely to be strengthened by Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz, accompanying Joao Neves who is the only starter at the Emirates who plays against Strasbourg. Kvaratskhelia and Doue are ready to return to being a mainstay on the wing.
On Arsenal's side, Thomas Partey returned from suspension and is ready to play with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield. Odegaard suffered a slight collision last weekend, but is believed to still be able to appear. Jurrien Timber is still doubtful after missing Bournemouth's opponent.
Meanwhile, Jorginho (pulmonary), Gabriel Jesus (lutut), Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (lutut), and Riccardo Calafori (lutut) have not recovered.
PSG (4-3-3):Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia
Arsenal (4-3-3):Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
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