Arsenal took on Paris Saint-Germain in a gigantic clash for a place in the Champions League final, with the semifinal’s first leg held in the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Paris Saint Germain (ARS vs PSG) Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 29 April 2025 / Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Time: 21:00 (CET), 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal vs Paris Saint Germain (ARS vs PSG) Match Preview
Arsenal are relishing their dreams of the 2005/06 Champions League season when they reached the final of the competition after knocking out Real Madrid, the same thing they did 19 years ago, in the quarterfinal stage this term with a huge 5-1 aggregate victory. The result means they will be tasting the semifinal stage of the competition for the first time since 2009. With the Premier League now won by Liverpool and no domestic cup competition to play for, the Gunners are fully focused on achieving European success in what has been a remarkable run in the competition so far. Mikel Arteta’s side are on an impressive eight-game unbeaten run in the Champions League this season despite injuries to key players in defence and attack. Their cohesiveness, solidity and determination have played a key role for them entering the last-four stage, where they now face one of the title favourites, Paris Saint-Germain, over two legs before they can book a place in the showpiece at Allianz Arena later next month. This clash will be a repeat of the League Phase encounter earlier this season, with Arsenal running out 2-0 winners, a result they will appreciate over here as well. However, the condition of the opposition was very different back then, with the Gunners needing to be aware of not committing the same mistake as in their last semifinal appearance in the tournament.
PSG are set to face a third English side in the knockout rounds of the 2024/25 Champions League, having made a fascinating run to reach consecutive semifinals by eliminating Premier League champions Liverpool and Unai Emery’s resounding Aston Villa. However, the ride has not been smooth-sailing with the team losing the quarterfinal second leg 3-2 at Villa Park, their form dwindling since securing the Ligue 1 title unbeaten, with two defeats in the last five games across all competitions. They also lost their invincible nature domestically with a shock 3-1 home loss to sixth-place Nice at the weekend, fielding a full-strength side, enough to raise eyebrows. Luis Enrique hopes the season's intensity hasn't affected his team, which has remarkably stayed fresh for every challenge, at this crucial period. The Spaniard failed to guide PSG to the final last time, but has a better chance of doing it this season with a squad that has seen a unity not seen before. However, facing an opposition they have never beaten in the Champions League and have eliminated the record winners in valiant style will be a stiff battle. PSG will want to take some advantage back at home, carrying an 18-game scoring streak in away matches, as another hostile atmosphere awaits them in London, which flattened Real Madrid 3-0 in the previous stage.
ARS vs PSG Recent Form (all competitions)
ARS: WDWWD
PSG: WLWDL
ARS vs PSG Recent Form (Champions League)
ARS: WWDWW
PSG: WLWWL
Arsenal vs Paris Saint Germain (ARS vs PSG) Team News
The major absence for Arsenal will be the midfielder Thomas Partey, who picked up a needless yellow card in the second leg against Real Madrid, resulting in his suspension for the semifinal first leg, as the limit of bookings was crossed. That forces a double free-kick scorer in the quarterfinal, Declan Rice, to move to a deeper role. Mikel Merino is also leaving the number nine role to return to the middle of the park as Jorginho is unavailable with a chest injury. Ben White is available after recovering from a knee injury, although Jurrien Timber is expected to continue at right-back. Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel Jesus are unavailable due to their respective injuries. On the other hand, PSG have a fully fit squad available.
ARS vs PSG Predicted Lineups
Arsenal
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
PSG
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
ARS vs PSG Dream11 Match Prediction
A thrilling battle awaits at the Emirates with Arsenal’s solidity facing a strong test against the attacking fervour of the Parisians. However, they are expected to be on the winning side at their home to take the decider to the French capital next month. We predict a 2-1 win for the Gunners.
ARS vs PSG Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Bukayo Saka
Vice-captain Picks: Declan Rice, Ousmane Dembélé, Mikel Merino
ARS vs PSG Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Raya (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 342)
DEF: Hakimi (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 495), Saliba (Cr - 8, Pts - 258), Mendes (Cr - 8, Pts - 502)
MID: Saka (Cr - 9, Pts - 335), Odegaard (Cr - 9, Pts - 330), Rice (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 457), Kvaratskhelia (Cr - 8, Pts - 186)
FW: Merino (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 286), Trossard (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 181), Dembélé (Cr - 9, Pts - 521)
Vice-captain: Declan Rice
Captain: Bukayo Saka
