Arsenal travel to Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night knowing they must win to reach the final
17:26, 07 May 2025
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 6: Head Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal holds a press conference ahead of UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final match between PSG and Arsenal in Paris, France on May 6, 2025. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta could be left with a selection headache(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)
Arsenal could be without up to six key players for their crucial Champions League match against PSG.
The Gunners are set for a daunting Wednesday evening showdown in Paris, aiming to secure a place in the Champions League final. After Ousmane Dembele's strike in north London, Mikel Arteta's side must stage a turnaround to clinch their spot as they trail 1-0 on aggregate.
But Arsenal will have to tackle the challenge while potentially missing several key players. Currently, five Gunners find themselves ruled out due to injuries, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out.
Ahead of their trip to Paris, Arteta provided updates on his team's fitness concerns, admitting that Jurrien Timber's participation would come down to the wire, whereas Riccardo Calafiori is ready to make his comeback.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said about Timber: "We will decide tomorrow (Wednesday). He added on Calafiori: "He's trained and is fit and ready to play if we need him."
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Jurrien Timber could feature against PSG(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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However, PSG boss Luis Enrique is also sweating over availability. Presnel Kimpembe will miss out, while Lee Kang-in could be fit enough to take a spot on the bench. Meanwhile, the French giants received a significant boost as star man Ousmane Dembele is fit to play. The forward missed the recent loss to Strasbourg, but the 33-goal Frenchman is fine to return for Wednesday night's clash.
Enrique confirmed: "He's been training with us for the last two days. You saw him on Tuesday - a normal training session for him. He'll be available on Wednesday."
Arsenal are already aware of their potential opponents in the final, with Inter Milan booking their spot after an exhilarating semi-final victory over Barcelona, winning 7-6 on aggregate.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Last week's match winner, Ousmane Dembele, is fit to play(Image: Michael Steele, Getty Images)
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Speaking about the challenge of overturning PSG's advantage, Arteta said: "Huge enthusiasm, huge energy. We are a win away from being in the Champions League final, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world against a great opponent - it doesn't get much better than that.
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"We are here to make history, and we have a big opportunity tomorrow. We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do. A lot of learning from the first leg as well, and how small the margins are between the two teams.
"The result, in my opinion, should have been very different to that one. So tomorrow, another opportunity to prove that and earn the right to be in the final."