football.london

Saka goal, Kiwior red card, Timber concern - PSG vs Arsenal Champions League predictions

It all comes down to 90 minutes - potentially 120 - of football in the French capital city of Paris for Arsenal on Wednesday night.

The Gunners' season hinges on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain in the Parc des Princes.

With Liverpool having already been confirmed as Premier League champions and Arsenal likely to finish in the top five, barring a miracle set of results elsewhere in the final few weeks of the season, this Champions League tie is everything to the Gunners.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, with Ousmane Dembele netting the only goal of the game at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal know they have it all to do in France.

So what can we expect from the match in Paris? We asked out football.london writers to make their predictions for the second leg clash.

Lee Wilmot

It's a tough ask for Arsenal to turn things around against PSG on Wednesday night. The Parisiens have a fully-fit squad to choose from, while Mikel Arteta only has further injury worries with Jurrien Timber having missed the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Gunners have only won three of their last eight matches, although two of those wins did come in the Champions League - against Real Madrid in that quarter-final double header.

Their domestic form may not have been great, but they have saved their best performances for Europe of late. So it's not out of the question.

I can see Arsenal scoring in France, but I can't see them keeping PSG out. It was only a miraculous Alisson Becker performance that stopped PSG scoring in the clash with Liverpool in the last 16. PSG mustered 27 shots against the Reds that night, with ten on target. Is David Raya up to that threat? I'm not so sure.

It's going to be an entertaining one and I can see Bukayo Saka giving Arsenal hope with an equaliser after PSG go in front, but the home side will run out winners.

Score prediction: PSG 3-2 Arsenal

Sam Truelove

What a tough task this is for Arsenal. The Gunners know they must score at least once in France to have any hope of reaching the Champions League final at the end of May.

Mikel Arteta's side also have the tough task of trying to stop PSG from scoring. With no Gabriel at centre-back, and now Jurrien Timber a huge doubt for the match, that's going to be incredibly difficult. You can never say never in football, though, and Wednesday evening should be a great match for the neutral.

I predict goals in Paris and, ultimately, PSG to go through to the final. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, if fit, should cause Arsenal lots of problems and I can see the pair both getting on the scoresheet at the Parc des Princes.

I do think Arsenal will score a goal or two, though, with Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino likely to find the net in my eyes. Merino should be fresh after starting the weekend defeat against Bournemouth on the bench.

With PSG's high intensity and high press, I can see a couple of defensive mistakes if Arsenal are not careful. Jakub Kiwior, who can be shaky when put under pressure, could especially be targeted. The centre-back may even be sent off if he's cautioned early, with the occasion perhaps getting the better of him.

Score prediction: PSG 2-1 Arsenal

Joe Doyle

It's difficult to know which Arsenal will turn up. At their best against Real Madrid, they were exceptional. But so often in recent weeks they've been pedestrian - perhaps showing signs of just how many games the key men have played this season.

I think given the changes for PSG at the weekend and the lack of rotation for Arsenal, we're likely to see the French side race out of the traps once again, and the key for the Gunners will be surviving the first 20 minutes unscathed - something they didn't manage last time out.

We know just how deadly Arsenal can be from set-pieces, and they could again be key this time around to getting back on level terms. I think Arsenal will score in Paris, it's just whether they can keep mistakes to a minimum.

I see it being tight, but I'm not sure the Gunners are going to keep a clean sheet as well. I'm saying 1-1 on the night with PSG progressing 2-1 on aggregate.

Score prediction: PSG 1-1 Arsenal

Tom Coley

It is hard to see PSG not scoring at least once here. Do Arsenal have it about them to get at least two? It feels really unlikely. The wind has just been knocked out of them.

An early goal would change everything, though. Arsenal need to try and settle the crowd, which will be loud and intimidating. Unlike English supporters, French fans will keep on going, making noise relentlessly almost regardless of what happens on the field and that adds a new dimension.

Given how fast PSG started at the Emirates Stadium it would be a surprise if they weren't able to get the ball down and under their control quickly again. If Arsenal can disrupt the flow with Thomas Partey then they could be in with a chance.

Whilst the difference is only one goal the game will be on. PSG have scored early in their last three Champions League matches, though, and may well do so again.

Score prediction: PSG 3-1 Arsenal

Jake Stokes

This will be a difficult match for Arsenal. Luis Enrique made 10 changes to his starting lineup on Saturday, meanwhile, Mikel Arteta made just two, swapping Ben White and Thomas Partey for Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino.

It would have been impossible for the Gunners boss to make nearly as many changes as his fellow countryman at the weekend without calling up a few academy prospects. Arsenal have been plagued with injuries this term, but that's no excuse to start Bukayo Saka against Bournemouth.

At the very least, the England international should've been rested. The north Londoners need Saka to be fresh and ready for their biggest game of the season. 86 minutes against the Cherries was just so unnecessary.

A full game for Myles Lewis-Skelly too? Kieran Tierney was right there on the bench? I think Arsenal will start quickly on Wednesday night, pulling one back in the first-half, before they run out of steam and let PSG run away with the tie.

Score prediction: PSG 2-1 Arsenal

Isaac Seelochan

It feels like Arsenal's season is drifting towards a limp end. I'm amazed that more people haven't questioned Arteta over the lack of trophies.

They've spent a fortune since he's been there and have won just one trophy and that came five years ago. He's managing arguably English football's third biggest club behind Man United and Liverpool. Imagine the reaction at those clubs if they had the same record.

Against PSG, I think the damage was done in the first leg at home. I can't see Luis Enrique's side not scoring at the Parc des Princes.

The hope for Arsenal will be PSG's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the last 16 when they created so many chances but couldn't find the back of the net. I can only envisage a similar scenario playing out if the Gunners are going to go through, but it's not likely.

Score prediction: PSG 3-1 Arsenal

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