As Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain prepare to meet at the Parc Des Princes for the crucial second leg of the Champions League semifinal, both teams now know their potential opponent in the final. The winner of this tie will face Inter in the UCL final scheduled for May 31 in Munich. With PSG holding a slim 1-0 lead from the first leg, there is still everything to play for, and the pressure is immense for this deciding match.
PSG was fortunate in the first leg, avoiding a conceded goal thanks to VAR disallowing Mikel Merino`s finish. This incident serves as a clear warning about Arsenal`s potential threat from set pieces. Playing at home, PSG will benefit from significant support from their fans. However, given that neither club has ever lifted the Champions League trophy, the psychological aspect of handling the pressure will be a major factor.
Here`s a look at the key narratives, viewing information, and more:
How to Watch and Match Details
- Date: Wednesday, May 7 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
- TV: CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: PSG +109; Draw +263; Arsenal +234
First Leg Recap
The initial encounter between these two sides was a tactical battle. PSG started brightly, with Ousmane Dembele scoring just four minutes into the game. The Parisians controlled the game for roughly 20 minutes before Arsenal`s defense managed to settle. Although the Gunners subsequently created the better opportunities, PSG`s early goal proved to be the difference, preventing Arsenal from leaving Paris with the score level.
Coach Quotes
This match is arguably the biggest of Mikel Arteta`s tenure at Arsenal. While he has won the FA Cup, the club`s near misses in the Premier League title race mean reaching the Champions League final could be his most significant achievement as manager. Arteta reflected on the moment, stating: “Yeah, one of the most beautiful, for sure. I mean, again, one win away from being in the final. We cannot ask for anything else… Let`s not do the talking now, let`s do it tomorrow on that pitch… Show our best version and win the game.” For Arsenal to advance, a stronger performance from key players like Martin Odegaard will be necessary, and Arteta will have meticulously prepared his squad.
On the PSG side, the team has successfully adapted under Luis Enrique following Kylian Mbappe`s departure. Everyone understands the task at hand. With Enrique`s birthday falling the day after the match, the team has added motivation, but the experienced manager, accustomed to high-pressure games, will keep the focus solely on the pitch. Enrique commented: “We`re here because we deserve to be, we won the first game and tomorrow`s objective is to win the second… we have to show the confidence that our supporters have shown us, in terms of effort and emotional intelligence… We`re going to go into this match and build on our strengths. If things don`t go our way, we`ll be competitive enough to turn things around.”
Predicted Lineups
PSG: Ginluigi Donarrumma, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
Arsenal: David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Ben White, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka
Player to Watch
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG: A significant boost to PSG`s attack has been the arrival of Kvaratskhelia from Napoli during the January transfer window. The Georgian international appears ideally suited to PSG`s playing style. While his overall statistics (four goals and five assists in 22 appearances across all competitions) might seem modest, notably four of his goal contributions have come in Champions League matches.
Kvaratskhelia has shown an ability to perform when PSG needs it most, a quality that will be crucial playing at home. Facing an Arsenal defense known for its focus on winning individual duels, Kvaratskhelia`s exceptional dribbling skill could be the factor that breaks the game open if he can consistently beat his opponents.
Storyline to Watch
Can PSG handle the pressure of a potential treble? Following Barcelona`s elimination by Inter, PSG is now the sole team remaining with a chance to win a treble this season. Having already won Ligue 1 and reached the Coupe De France final on May 24, PSG could be just three wins away from this rare achievement. However, completing a treble is an incredibly difficult task. Every team reaching this stage has encountered setbacks, and Enrique will be determined to avoid the disappointment Barcelona suffered in the Champions League. For PSG, securing a first-ever Champions League title would likely mean more than any other trophy this season, adding immense pressure. Yet, this pressure can also forge greatness.
Prediction
PSG might not score quite as early as the fourth minute this time, but expect Ousmane Dembele to find the net again in the first half, bringing palpable relief to the home crowd. Arsenal is likely to score, creating moments of tension, but it won`t be enough as PSG adds a second goal to seal their victory in regular time.
Prediction: PSG 2, Arsenal 1
Dominic Ashworth