Arsenal have a rescue mission on their hands in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners head to France needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg last week in order to reach only a second Champions League final in their history
Preparations have not gone smoothly, however. Defeat at home to Bournemouth at the weekend means Mikel Arteta’s side have been dragged back into a race just to qualify for next season’s competition.
That said, PSG also lost at the weekend – albeit with an heavily rotated team – and have only won once in their last four fixtures in all competitions. Though that came at the Emirates Stadium.
Having already dumped out two Premier League sides in the knockout stages, the Ligue 1 champions are aiming to make it a hat-trick and ensure Arsenal end the season without any silverware
Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal is scheduled for a 8pm BST kick-off on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 7pm BST on TNT Sports 1 ahead of a 8pm kick-off.
Arsenal have a doubt over Jurrien Timber after he limped off in the first leg and, subsequently, was left out of the matchday squad for the defeat by Bournemouth. Kai Havertz is on course to return from injury before the end of the season but this game is likely to come too soon as he misses out along with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori are doubtful, but Thomas Partey is available after missing the game last week through suspension and captain Martin Odegaard has allayed any injury fears surrounding himself.
Ousmane Dembele is winning his race to feature for PSG against Arsenal.
The Frenchman has been a significant doubt for the second leg, having been forced off at the Emirates with what PSG confirmed after the match was a hamstring strain.
It’s all or nothing for Arsenal. Quite literally as lose on Wednesday night and their season is pretty much over with just a top-five battle in the Premier League left to play for.
Whilst the Gunners were overrun by PSG in the opening stages last week, their response midway through the first-half should provide hope of completing a comeback.
Score first, quieten the crowd and a memorable night in Paris is on the cards.
Both meetings this season have seen the two sides record their first-ever wins over each other. Arsenal won the first meeting in the league phase back in October with Havertz and Saka on the scoresheet in a comfortable 2-0 win.
However, as seen in the first leg and against Premier League opposition since, PSG are a much improved side.
