Arsenal host PSG in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, with the French side already having knocked out two English teams this season.
PSG needed penalties to eliminate Liverpool in the round-of-16 following a 1-1 draw on aggregate. They were pushed close by Aston Villa in the quarter-finals but managed to scrape through with a 5-4 average win.
They will be hoping Arsenal will be the third English team they knock out, but the Gunners will be a tough nut to crack. With nothing domestically to play for, all of their attention will be focused on reaching the Champions League final.
ARSENAL VS PSG PREVIEW
The omens are good for Arsenal as they have never been beaten by PSG. In their five previous encounters, the Gunners have won twice, while there have been three draws. There is no team in Champions League history that has proven a tougher proposition for PSG than Arsenal.
The Gunners can also take heart from the Champions League group stage, where they beat PSG 2-0. First-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were enough to secure the win back in October.
With Liverpool claiming the Premier League title on Sunday, Arsenal will be giving it their all in this game. They come into this match off the back of hammering Real Madrid in the last round, winning both legs to emphatically reach the semi-finals.
This saw Arsenal reach the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2009. This is only their third-ever appearance at this stage in the competition. Their record in the semis reads win one, lost one.
The big question mark over the Gunners’ season has been their inability to hold onto leads. This was evident in their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. They have been pegged back nine times in the Premier League when taking the lead.
Thomas Partey is suspended for Arsenal, having picked up a needless booking against Real Madrid. Jorginho is likely out with a chest injury, meaning Declan Rice may have to play in a deeper role to compensate.
Mikel Merino and Ben White should both have recovered from injuries in time. However, Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Gabriel (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Kai Havertz (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are all out.
PSG have a full squad at their disposal, with no injury concerns. This has been the cornerstone of their success this season.
ARSENAL VS PSG – PREDICTIONS
Arsenal Win
The Gunners defeated PSG at the Emirates back in October, while the French side are showing signs of fatigue. Arsenal have not played since last Wednesday, meaning they will be more rested than PSG too, who were defeated by Nice on Friday.
Draw
Three of the five meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw, with both teams quite evenly matched.
PSG Win
PSG won at Anfield in the round-of-16 and although they didn’t win at Villa Park, they did score twice there. There are always goals with PSG, while the absence of Partey could really hamper the Gunners.
ARSENAL VS PSG – BETTING TIPS
Arsenal Win
PSG lost to Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday, shipping three goals in the process. Their defensive fragility has become increasingly apparent over the last few weeks and the Gunners could exploit this. PSG can always get goals but the Gunners equipped themselves admirably against Real Madrid with few defensive concerns.
Both Teams to Score
In Ousmane Dembélé, PSG have the top scorer in the French league with 21 goals. He has also netted seven times and had three assists in 12 Champions League appearances this season. He didn’t score against Villa though and has gone off the boil of late. He can still pop up and grab a goal though. Should he be involved in one more goal, he will tie with Kylian Mbappé for the most involvements in a single season in the Champions League.
In contrast, goals are spread out across this Arsenal team. They have scored 63 in the Premier League this season – the fourth-highest in the league. They put five past Real Madrid in the last round so I expect them to score here, particularly as they are at home.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Arsenal and PSG have played each other five times, with the Gunners winning twice. PSG have never beaten them, while there have been three draws. Arsenal are the opponent that PSG have played the most times in European competition without ever securing a win.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight Champions League games (W7 D1).
- Arsenal have been in the lead for 53% of the time in Champions League matches this season, more than any other club.
- PSG have lost five of their last six away matches against English sides, losing to four separate teams in this run (Man City twice, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Aston Villa).
- PSG have found the net in their last 18 away games in all competitions.
