Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has shown confidence ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He also asserted that they will win and qualify for the final.
The Gunners lost the first leg 1-0 at the Emirates on April 29. Ousmane Dembele gave PSG the lead in the fourth minute after an excellent finish from the edge of the box. Both sides created multiple chances after it but failed to add to the scoring.
After the first leg, Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino said (via Metro):
"Paris is a tough place to go but still we have proved always that we can compete against anybody and, with all due respect to anybody, I think we are going to win the second leg.
The north London side signed Merino from Real Sociedad last summer, and he's played as a midfielder and a striker. He's recorded eight goals and five assists in 41 games across competitions this season.
The Gunners lost 2-1 against Bournemouth at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday. Meanwhile, a highly rotated PSG side also lost 2-1 against Strasbourg away in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Gary Neville rates Arsenal's chances of beating PSG in UCL
Manchester United legend Gary Neville is also confident that the Premier League side will be able to overturn their 1-0 defeat against PSG. After their 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth at home in the Premier League on Saturday, Neville said on The Gary Neville Podcast:
"The worry for Arsenal is they played their strongest side [against Bournemouth] and still lost. But I genuinely think Arsenal can do it. I think they can go to PSG and do it.
"I went there with David Beckham once to watch Real Madrid play there and I saw them [PSG] get nervous. There’s such an expectation around PSG winning the Champions League. It will be hostile for the first 20 mins and if they score it will continue to be hostile."
Neville added that if Mikel Arteta's side get an early goal, they will be able to create immense pressure on the Parisians. He said:
"However, if you can get a goal – which Arsenal definitely can either from a set-piece or a counter-attack or a bit of brilliance – I think you can see and feel the mood changing in that stadium.
"I think Arsenal are in with a shout this week. It’s a huge game for Arsenal, it’s a season-defining game and could be career-defining for some of the players if they come from behind to beat PSG. Beating PSG and reaching the Champions League final would be an incredible achievement."The second leg at the Parc des Princes will take place on Wednesday, May 7. The winner of the tie will face either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the final.
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
About the author
Aditya Singh
Aditya has been working as a European football journalist and editor for Sportskeeda for close to 3 years. He boasts a total experience of over 6 years, and always aims to inculcate proper context in his articles, making the most of his prior stints in writing and marketing across a number of different industries over the years. He has also played football at college level for 2 years.A B.Tech. graduate, Aditya's journey as an ardent football fan began after watching the elegant maestro Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the final. He has been a fan of Tottenham Hotspur's front foot and creative football since 2008 and connect's with the club's underdog status.Aditya, who is a Sportskeeda 'Long-form Editor of the Month' award winner, is a big admirer of Luka Modric's elegant and hard-working style of play. His favorite manager is Carlo Ancelotti because the Italian allows his players enough freedom in an age where micromanagement is the established norm.Aditya feels Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala could replicate the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry due to their incredible collective potential. In his free time, he likes to read classical fiction, travel to places, and explore a variety of foods.
Know More
Quick Links
More from Sportskeeda
Edited by Aditya Singh