WHO: Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
Contents: UEFA Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Location: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Tuesday at 8pm (7:00 GMT)
Follow the Al Jazeera Sport’s live text and photo commentary stream.
Victor’s Arsenal, the 13-time English Top Flight League, continues his quest to win the Otome UEFA Champions League title when it clashes with PSG in the first leg of the Emirates semi-finals.
The Gunners booked their place in the final four of the tournament by defeating defending champion Real Madrid thoroughly and winning the quarterfinals 5-1.
PSG’s path to the semi-final stage of the Champions League is equally impressive. The Les Parisiens caused one of the biggest disruptions of the tournament, defeating Liverpool by penalty in the 16th round after the team finished a two-leg series tied 1-1.
PSG has also dominated the domestic Ligue 1 competition this season, recording an unbeaten 30-game winning streak that ended with a 3-1 home loss against Nice on Friday.
Here’s everything you need to know before the semi-final opening match between the two most dynamic football clubs in Europe.
When did Arsenal and PSG last play in the Champions League?
The team last played in the group phase fixture on October 1st.
First half goals by Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka helped Arsenal get PSG 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium.
However, PSG has since improved dramatically, largely due to manager Louis Enrique’s decision to drop star striker Osmane Dembele against Arsenal on disciplinary grounds.
Arsenal’s Kai Herberts celebrates scoring in a UEFA Champions League Group Phase Phase Phase match at Emirates Stadium on October 1, 2024 [Julian Finney/Getty Images]
Who lost to Arsenal and PSG to reach the semi-final stage?
PSG confused Premier League leader Liverpool in the 16th round, winning dramatically in Game 2 with a penalty shootout.
He then knocked out another top British club, Aston Villa, on the quarterfinal stage, and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in five years.
In addition to causing a massive boil over by beating Real Madrid in the dormitory, Arsenal totally destroyed the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven 9-3 in 16 rounds.
Team News: Arsenal
Manager Mikel Arteta is facing several key choice headaches in the first issue that will be sitting this match against PSG on one game suspension on behalf of major midfielder Thomas Party. Mikel Merino is tilted to replace Leandro Torosad, slotting Ghanaian International into the forward line at Merino location.
In terms of injury, Gorguinho, who was the most suitable replacement for the party, is expected to miss Tuesday’s match as he recovers from his rib injury. Defenders Ben White and Ricardo Carafioli are suspicious as they both recover from knee injuries.
Kai Herberts, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalges and Tomiyas Tatzilo are all on the sidelines for the rest of the season.
Team News: PSG
In a rare event in the second half of the season, PSG manager Louis Enrique’s team was not injured in Tuesday’s match against Arsenal in London.
Despite the team losing a 30-game unbeaten streak in that featureless 3-1 drive, Enrique is expected to hold the same starting XI due to Champions League fixtures.
Mentor and Tampaco Manager Battle
Arteta must defeat one of the most influential figures in football life to advance to the Champions League final.
Inhibiting him is a close friend who played a major role in the impressive transition of his Spanish compatriot from the pitch to the dugout.
Enrique is a senior Barcelona star and Arteta began his playing career at Camp Nou.
“He was very supportive of the younger players. He was far more of a hero. I have really good memories of him,” Arteta said.
“What I like about him is, wherever he is as a player or manager, his fingerprints are everywhere.
“You can feel like his team behaviour, the way they want to attack and dominate the game.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique, left, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Hugh, before the UEFA Champions League group match on October 1, 2024 [Hannah McKay/Reuters]
Possible lineup:
Arsenal Possible Start XI: Raya; Wood, Saliva, Kiwior, Lewis Skelly. Rice, Merino, Odegard; Saka, Torosad, Martinelli
PSG possible start xi: donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitanya, Neves. Barcola, Dembele, Kvarazkeria
Watching Player: Oousmane Dembele (PSG)
The talented French forward has overcome a late start to the season to bring in one of Europe’s biggest offensive performances this season.
In 44 domestic league fixtures, the 27-year-old Dembele scored 32 goals and recorded 12 assists to fuel PSG’s incredible 30 unbeaten runs. His contributions in front of the goal were crucial to Les Parisiens winning the Ligue 1 title in the astounding six games remaining in the season.
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele will film the goal during a League 1 match against OGC Nice at Parc Des Princes in Paris on April 25, 2025 [Catherine Steenkeste/Reuters]
