Who: Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
What: UEFA Champions League semifinal, first leg
The place: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Tuesday at 8pm (19:00 GMT)
Comply with Al Jazeera Sport’s stay textual content and photograph commentary stream.
13-time English top-flight league victors Arsenal proceed their quest to win a maiden UEFA Champions League title once they conflict with PSG within the first leg of their semifinal at Emirates.
The Gunners booked their place within the closing 4 of the event by totally outplaying defending champions Actual Madrid to win their quarterfinal collection 5-1 on mixture.
PSG’s street to the Champions League semifinal stage has been equally spectacular. Les Parisiens induced one of many largest upsets of the event, defeating Liverpool on penalties within the spherical of 16 after the groups completed their two-leg collection tied at 1-1.
PSG have additionally been completely dominant of their home Ligue 1 competitors this season, recording a surprising 30-game unbeaten streak that solely ended on Friday in a 3-1 dwelling defeat in opposition to Good.
Right here is all to know earlier than the semifinal opener between two of probably the most dynamic soccer golf equipment in Europe:
When did Arsenal and PSG final play one another within the Champions League?
The groups final performed on October 1 in a bunch part fixture.
First-half objectives by Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka helped Arsenal ease to a 2-0 dwelling win over PSG at Emirates Stadium.
However PSG have improved dramatically since then due largely to supervisor Luis Enrique’s choice to drop star striker Ousmane Dembele in opposition to Arsenal for disciplinary causes – an motion that impressed the France ahead’s very good run of kind.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz celebrates scoring throughout the UEFA Champions League group part match in opposition to PSG at Emirates Stadium on October 1, 2024 (Julian Finney/Getty Photos)
Who did Arsenal and PSG defeat to achieve the semifinal stage?
PSG upset Premier League leaders Liverpool within the spherical of 16, dramatically profitable the second leg in a penalty shootout.
They then knocked out one other prime English membership, Aston Villa, on the quarterfinal stage, profitable 5-4 on mixture and advancing to their third Champions League semifinals in 5 years.
Arsenal, along with inflicting a serious boil-over by defeating Actual Madrid within the quarters, destroyed Dutch-side PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on mixture within the spherical of 16.
Staff information: Arsenal
Supervisor Mikel Arteta faces a few key choice complications with the primary concern being who will substitute key midfielder Thomas Partey, who will sit out this match in opposition to PSG with a one-game suspension. Mikel Merino is tipped to exchange the Ghanaian worldwide with Leandro Trossard slotting into the ahead line in Merino’s place.
On the harm entrance, Jorginho, who would have been probably the most appropriate alternative for Partey, is anticipated to overlook Tuesday’s match as he recovers from a rib harm. Defenders Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori are uncertain as each get well from knee accidents.
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Staff information: PSG
In a uncommon prevalence for this late within the season, PSG supervisor Luis Enrique’s squad is injury-free for Tuesday’s match in opposition to Arsenal in London.
Regardless of the workforce dropping its 30-game unbeaten streak in that uncharacteristic 3-1 drubbing, Enrique is anticipated to retain the identical beginning XI for his or her Champions League fixture with the doable exception being Need Doue’s demotion to make approach for Bradley Barcola within the midfield.
Mentor-protegee supervisor battle
Arteta must beat one of the vital influential figures in his soccer life to advance to the Champions League closing.
Standing in his approach is a detailed buddy who performed a serious position in his Spanish compatriot’s spectacular transition from the pitch to the dugout.
Enrique was a senior star at Barcelona when Arteta began his taking part in profession on the Camp Nou, a interval that had a serious influence on his managerial philosophy with Arsenal.
“He was extraordinarily supportive with the younger gamers. He was one of many predominant characters by far. I’ve actually good reminiscences of him,” Arteta mentioned.
“What I like about him is wherever he’s been, as a participant or a supervisor, his fingerprints are everywhere.
“You may sense it’s his workforce with the best way his gamers behave, the best way they need to assault and dominate video games.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique, left, and Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta hug earlier than their UEFA Champions League group match on October 1, 2024 (Hannah McKay/Reuters)
Doable lineups:
Arsenal Doable Beginning XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
PSG Doable Beginning XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Boat, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Participant to observe: Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
The gifted French ahead overcame a sluggish begin to the season to reel off one of many best offensive performances in Europe this season.
In 44 home league fixtures, the 27-year-old Dembele scored 32 objectives and recorded 12 assists to gasoline PSG’s unbelievable 30-match unbeaten run. His contribution in entrance of purpose was pivotal to Les Parisiens profitable the Ligue 1 title with an astounding six video games remaining within the season.
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele shoots at purpose throughout a Ligue 1 match in opposition to OGC Good at Parc des Princes, Paris, on April 25, 2025 (Catherine Steenkeste/Reuters)
Supply hyperlink
