This Wednesday, May 7, Paris Saint-Germain face the second leg of their Champions League 2024-2025 semi-final at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm, CET). And as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
The Arsenal situation –
Arsenal is obviously an iconic soccer club, and we’re not going to launch into a full history. The last major turning point was Arsène Wenger’s departure in 2018, after almost 22 years at the club.
A difficult page to turn. Former Paris coach Unai Emery tried. But he lost his place in November 2019 despite some fine performances along the way. Mikel Arteta, a Spanish midfielder who played for PSG (2001-2002), took over to relaunch the project.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing, but the Gunners’ progress is clear, not least in their ability to compete for the Premier League title. Even if the outcome has been cruel in recent years, especially in 2022-2023, since the trophy has yet to be won despite many days in the lead.
Nevertheless, there’s still 2nd place in the Premier League to defend this season, and above all that famous return to the Champions League with a fine run.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
The winter mercato 2024/2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Arsenal have the 4th-best attack in the league with 64 goals scored (the leader, Liverpool, is at 71, and the last, Southampton, is at 25), and have the 1st defense with 31 goals conceded (Liverpool has the 2nd with 35 goals conceded, the last, Southampton, is at 82).
The Gunners’ top scorer is Kai Havertz (25-year-old striker), and with 9 goals, he ranks 22nd in the league (the Premier League leader is Mohamed Salah with 28 goals). Bukayo Saka (23-year-old winger) is the English club’s best passer, with 10 assists, and ranks 2nd in the Premier League.
Arsenal’s last 5 games –
Only Gunners possession is shown and Arsenal shots are put first (when data is available).
16/04/2025 (Champions League) – Real Madrid/Arsenal: 1-2. In 4-3-3. 33% possession. 12 shots, 6 on target vs. 18 shots (3 on target).
20/04/2025 (Premier League) – Ipswich Town (down to 10 at the 32nd minute, 0-1)/Arsenal: 0-4. 4-3-3 formation. 75% possession. 24 shots, including 7 on target, against 4 shots (0 on target).
23/04/2025 (Premier League) – Arsenal/Crystal Palace: 2-2. In 4-3-3. 68% possession. 12 shots, including 6 on target, against 15 shots (4 on target).
29/04/2025 (Champions League) – Arsenal/PSG: 0-1. In 4-3-3. 47% possession. 10 shots (5 on target) vs. 11 shots (4 on target).
03/05/2025 (Premier League) – Arsenal/Bouremouth: 1-2. In 4-3-3. 51% possession. 13 shots including 4 on target vs. 9 shots (2 on target).
The team according to the press in 4-3-3 (L’Equipe) :
Martinelli – Merino – Saka
Rice – Partey – Odegaard
Lewis-Skelly – Kiwior – Saliba – Timber
Raya
Arsenal’s style of play.
Arteta’s style of play is clearly attacking, both with and without the ball. The idea is always to apply pressure, with intensity. Even if a match like this may call for a few adaptations, we expect to find this idea again against PSG.
PSG will have to pay particular attention to one of the Gunners’ strong points: set-pieces. At the very least, there are a few defensive gaps to exploit, including some missed restarts.
Notably, Jürrien Timber was injured at the end of the first leg and is likely to miss this return, with Ben White taking his place on the right of defence. Thomas Partey, on the other hand, returns from suspension and is likely to be at the front of the defence, with Declan Rice moving up a notch. A fine addition to the midfield.
This adds a doubt to the attack, with Mikel Merino, our usual midfielder, likely to return to the 9 spot as in previous weeks. Unless, that is, Leandro Trossard stays in the middle instead of returning to the bench.
