Aiming to overturn the first-leg deficit and enter into the UEFA Champions League final for the first time after 19 years, Arsenal travel to Parc des Princes to face Paris Saint-Germain in the return leg of the semi-final on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium following a first-half goal from Ousmane Dembele. They have it all to do away against the competition’s outright favourites, but Mikel Arteta and Co. can take heart from having won against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the previous round.
The North Londoners, however, did not have the best preparations for the mouthwatering clash in Paris, losing 2-1 to Bournemouth at home in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal Team News
Thomas Partey missed the first leg due to suspension but is now available for selection at Parc des Princes. Arsenal were also boosted by the sight of Jurrien Timber training on Tuesday after sitting out the Bournemouth defeat at home, so the versatile defender hopes to be included on the plane to Paris.
Riccardo Calafiori trained too, as he closes in on a return from his knee injury. However, the likes of Jorginho, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu all remain out.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David Raya has had a strong season for Arsenal. The Spaniard has to be ready for one of his more difficult nights in Paris against a fiery PSG attack. He will be raring to shut up shop as quickly as possible to boost his team’s chances of winning.
Defence
Having trained on Tuesday, Jurrien Timber should take up the right-back slot in the Arsenal lineup on Wednesday evening. Myles Lewis-Skelly will occupy the left-back spot, with Jakub Kiwior partnering William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s defence again.
The entire backline faces an uphill challenge of stopping the PSG attackers from scoring.
Midfield
Free from suspension, Thomas Partey walks straight back into the Arsenal lineup and takes up the anchor role. The Ghanaian’s presence adds power and physicality to the Arsenal engine room, whilst allowing Declan Rice to bomb forward and contribute significantly to their attacks.
Skipper Martin Odegaard should complete the visitors’ midfield unit, and the onus will be on him to produce a big performance on a big night.
Attack
Mikel Merino is certain to operate as a false 9, flanked by pacey and creative Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in the Arsenal lineup. The trio have to combine well in the final third to cause problems for the PSG defence.
Arteta will hope to see the likes of Saka and Martinelli start stretching the PSG backline from the first blow of the whistle. Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling should be attacking options to bring off the bench when required.
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