By Danong and 1970s Gooner
**Arsenal Football Club are gearing up for a pivotal night in Paris, where they must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg.
With the 2024-25 season offering no domestic silverware, European success is Arsenal’s last hope for a trophy.
The Gunners’ campaign has been a rollercoaster. A commanding quarter-final victory over Real Madrid showcased their potential. However, the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium ended in disappointment.
Now, the focus shifts to the Parc des Princes. A place in the final—against either Barcelona or Inter Milan—awaits the victors. Here are five key factors that could propel Arsenal to a memorable night in Paris.
1.Tactical adjustments by Arteta
Arteta had a problem figuring out in the first 25 minutes of the first leg how to stop PSG from beating our press. By the time we managed to correct it they had already scored.
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Arteta will have better understood the various tactics employed by Enrique during the game and will now be more aware and ready to counter act quickly. He will also employ his own surprises in how he may tactically set up for the game.
**Considering the game was more evenly balanced after the initial 25 minutes bodes well for the return leg and increases the chances of inflicting damage ourselves.
2.Thomas Partey’s return not only boosts our midfield control but has a positive chain effect.
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Thomas Partey’s absence in the first leg forced coach Mikel Arteta to rejig his midfield. Mikel Merino shifted from an attacking role to a deeper position, while Declan Rice was anchored defensively.
**PSG exploited the resulting gaps. With Partey back, Rice can press higher, and Merino can return to a forward role, offering Arsenal a more balanced and dynamic midfield and a more physical presence in attack.
3.Ousmane Dembélé’s injury doubt**
Ousmane Dembélé tormented Arsenal’s defence in the first leg. His fluid movement, drifting wide and deep, created space for his teammates.
**However, the forward was substituted after 20 minutes due to an injury. PSG manager Luis Enrique confirmed Dembélé is a doubt for the second leg, stating, “He’ll undergo tests. It’s not serious, but he’s probably a doubt.” Without Dembélé, PSG’s attack could lose its edge.
Although it is now reported that Dembele has returned to training it is still uncertain whether he will be able to start the game.
4.Set-Piece opportunities
Arsenal thought they had equalised in the first leg via a set-piece, only for Merino’s goal to be ruled offside. PSG’s vulnerability to set-pieces is well-documented—38% of their conceded goals this season have come from dead-ball situations. Arsenal’s set-piece expertise could prove decisive in Paris.
We need at the same time to improve our defending of set pieces. Our record has left a lot to be desired.
5.Exploiting Achraf Hakimi’s positioning
PSG's right-back, Achraf Hakimi, often pushes forward, leaving his defensive duties exposed. Arsenal can capitalise on this through quick transitions, with Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly driving the ball forward. Targeting Hakimi’s flank could unlock the French side's defence.
We expect that all the above factors will result in a very healthy improvement in Arsenal's performance. And in such games where small margins count for quite a lot, our chances of winning the game or taking it to extra time are expected to have improved significantly.
** For Mikel Arteta and his players, this is a chance to etch their names into Arsenal Football Club’s history.
A victory in Paris would secure Arsenal’s first UEFA Champions League final appearance since 2006, marking a defining moment in Arteta's Arsenal project.