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Arsenal and PSG set for semi-final showdown
Arsenal take on PSG tonight in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, as Mikel Arteta seeks to lead the Gunners to a first European Cup in the club’s long history.
Arsenal may have fallen short in the Premier League title race but they have been England’s best side in Europe this season, and they stand on the verge of history after knocking out Real Madrid so convincingly in the last round. Thomas Partey is suspended and Gabriel remains injured but otherwise Arteta has a strong XI to call upon.
But Paris Saint-Germain have been arguably the best side in the Champions League so far and their fast flowing football under Luis Enrique presents a whole new challenge. Arsenal must finds ways to contain the attacking threat of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and wonderkid Desire Doue to reach the final for the first time since 2006.
Follow the score and all the latest updates from Arsenal v PSG below.
Mikel Arteta was not very happy with Thomas Partey for picking up a yellow card late in the win at the Santiago Bernabeu, which meant the defensive midfielder is ruled out tonight.
Arteta could opt to bring Mikel Merino back into midfield, but that would mean moving the Spaniard from his impressive work as a makeshift No 9, where he has not only been scoring goals but also dropping deep to link play and overrun opposing midfields. It would also mean Declan Rice might have to play in Partey’s defensive role, stifling Rice’s attacking influence.
With Merino in midfield, that would mean deploying Leandro Trossard as the central striker, and while Trossard has been in impressive form in recent weeks, he sometimes finds himself on the periphery in big games.
Another option is to keep Merino up front and bring in another central midfielder, like Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Oleksandr Zinchenko coming into the team at left-back, or Ben White filling in at right-back and Jurrien Timber moving over to the left.
Decisions, decisions for Arteta, but on the bright side at least it makes his team slightly harder for Luis Enrique to predict…
Arteta must decide how Arsenal will line up this evening (Adam Davy/PA)
Lawrence Ostlere29 April 2025 15:17
Thomas Partey is suspended for the first leg after his caution against Real Madrid, with Jorginho’s ongoing absence with a rib injury meaning Declan Rice may have to drop into a deeper role. Riccardo Calafiori could return to bolster Mikel Arteta’s defensive options on the bench. Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain out.
Thomas Partey is suspended tonight (Reuters)
Lawrence Ostlere29 April 2025 15:05
Fresh from two famous European nights against Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta’s side will be full of confidence as they begin the last-four encounter.
With an alternative destination for the Premier League title now certain, Arsenal can throw full focus on to this competition as they seek the continental crown that eludes them.
They face a tough test against a transformed PSG side that showed glimpses of their brilliance against Aston Villa in the last eight despite a second-leg wobble.
Lawrence Ostlere29 April 2025 14:58
Welcome along to live coverage of Arsenal v PSG as they collide in the first leg of this Champions League semi-final.
Lawrence Ostlere29 April 2025 13:35
