Old foes collide with recent stakes when Arsenal welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Emirates on Tuesday, kicking off a blockbuster Champions League semifinal that pits two golf equipment determined to finish their agonizing look ahead to continental glory.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal arrive brimming with perception, having dismantled Real Madrid – the gold normal of European soccer – with ruthless effectivity.
After a 3-0 first-leg demolition in London, the Gunners marched into the Bernabeu and silenced the Spanish giants with a 2-1 victory, finishing a jaw-dropping 5-1 mixture triumph few noticed coming.
Missing a conventional striker and set-piece specialist, Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal wore the underdog tag proudly – and tore it off spectacularly.
Now within the semifinals for simply the third time of their historical past, and the primary since 2009, the North Londoners are daring to dream once more.
Arteta’s aspect carries momentum in waves: unbeaten in eight straight Champions League matches – their longest streak since 2005-06 – and 12 throughout all competitions.
But frailties stay. A well-recognized incapacity to shut out video games resurfaced in a expensive 2-2 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace final Wednesday, permitting Liverpool to edge nearer to home glory.
Arsenal have now surrendered leads in 9 top-flight attracts this season – greater than every other membership.
Those cracks supply hope to PSG, who arrive hardened by current Premier League scalps. Luis Enrique’s youthful, vibrant squad swept apart Liverpool and Aston Villa en path to the final 4, although a 3-2 second-leg stumble in opposition to Villa served as a reminder of their mortal aspect.
Domestically, PSG’s aura has flickered. Despite clinching Ligue 1 early, Les Parisiens stumbled to a 2-1 scrape over Le Havre, a 1-1 draw with Nantes, and a shocking 3-1 residence defeat to Nice that ended their invincible run.
Yet Enrique can afford to shift full focus to Europe, and his males have a robust document to lean on – scoring in 18 consecutive away matches throughout all competitions.
Still, PSG’s final journey to the Emirates resulted in frustration. Arsenal’s 2-0 win again in October prolonged their unbeaten run in opposition to the French champions to 5 matches – their longest such streak in opposition to any European opponent. In truth, no different membership has confronted PSG extra usually with out tasting defeat.
For Arsenal, the trail to Wembley – and doubtlessly a date with Barcelona or Inter Milan – calls for one other excellent night time at residence.
Concerns
Arsenal’s midfield puzzle is Arteta’s greatest headache. Thomas Partey, suspended after a rash reserving on the Bernabeu, joins a crowded harm listing that features Gabriel (hamstring), Kai Havertz (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Gabriel Jesus (ACL) and Jorginho (chest), who might miss the rest of the season.
Declan Rice will doubtless drop into the deeper holding position, whereas Mikel Merino, nursing a minor problem, is anticipated to fill the left-eight place if handed match.
Ben White (knee) must also be out there, however Riccardo Calafiori (knee) stays uncertain.
In stark distinction, PSG boast a clear invoice of well being. Enrique is anticipated to subject a near-identical lineup to the one which confronted Nice, with Bradley Barcola pushing for a beginning nod over Desire Doue.
Ousmane Dembele, who has racked up an electrical 44 objective contributions this season (32 objectives, 12 assists), stays pivotal – although the Frenchman has hit a chilly streak, failing to attain in his final six video games throughout Ligue 1 and Europe.
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