Arsenal vs PSG – Champions League match preview and team news

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·29. April 2025

Arsenal vs PSG – Champions League match preview and team news

Arsenal host Ligue 1 champions PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight.

Mikel Arteta and his players weren’t in action on the weekend, which means they have had a full week to prepare for the clash.

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Thomas Partey is unavailable for the first leg due to suspension. The Ghanaian midfielder is serving a one-game ban after picking up a booking in both legs of the quarter-final against Real Madrid.

Mikel Merino and Ben White were both omitted from the squad entirely for the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace last Wednesday. However, both players have trained ahead of the semi-final and should be able to feature. Riccardo Calafiori hasn’t recovered in time, while Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain out.

Paris Saint-Germain’s 30-game unbeaten streak in the league was ended on the weekend as they lost 3-1 at home to Nice. On a more positive note, Luis Enrique has all of his senior players available to play.

Arsenal vs PSG – Champions League match preview and team news

Form

Arsenal: WDWWD

Arsenal have enjoyed a week-long rest ahead of tonight’s game at the Emirates Stadium. In their last outing the Gunners let a lead slip on two occasions to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace.

That result virtually confirmed Liverpool as Premier League champions with the North Londoners looking destined to finish as runners-up for the third consecutive campaign.

After beating the current holders Real Madrid over two legs, Mikel Arteta and his players will be confident they can beat anyone on the continent. There is also an added element of expectation tonight as Arsenal have already beaten Paris Saint-Germain this season.

Read – Arsenal predicted lineup and team news vs PSG

PSG: WLWDL

The Parisians’ unbeaten league record unravelled on Friday night as they shipped three at home to Nice.

Luis Enrique’s side were just four games away from becoming the first club in French top-flight history to go a whole campaign without losing. A Morgan Sanson brace helped Nice overcome the league winners in front of a devastated Parc des Princes crowd.

Worryingly for PSG, they have now only won once in their last four matches. In their last trip to England a few weeks ago, they lost the second leg of their quarter-final 3-2 to Aston Villa.

Like Arsenal, they have never won the Champions League. Both sides are only three games away from creating history.

Read – PSG predicted lineup ahead of Arsenal meeting

Last Meeting: Arsenal 2-0 PSG, Champions League, 1st October 2024

When the two sides met in the competition earlier this season, Arsenal comfortably conquered Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners commenced the game brightly and immediately asked questions of the opposition backline.

A fast break culminated with Bukayo Saka curling an effort just over Gianluigi Donnarumma’s net. It was a stern warning for the French outfit and one they failed to respond to.

In the 20th minute, Kai Havertz bravely headed the hosts in front. Leandro Trossard was allowed to cross into the middle and Donnarumma came to punch the ball. However, Havertz nicked in front of the Italian stopper to break the deadlock.

PSG eventually introduced themselves into proceedings and were inches away from equalising seven minutes after the opener.

Nuno Mendes and Bradley Barcola performed a neat exchange, which created some space for the former to burst into. Mendes’ shot from range beat David Raya, but clipped the outside of the upright.

It was a strong spell from Luis Enrique’s side as the opposite full-back Achraf Hakimi forced a save out of Raya at his near post minutes later.

Arsenal managed to weather the storm and scored a crucial second. Saka whipped in a free-kick from the right-flank that somehow evaded everyone. Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey’s attempt to connect with the ball distracted the goalkeeper, who couldn’t react in time to clear the danger.

Five minutes after the restart, Martinelli almost volleyed in a third. Despite a sweet connection, the 23-year-old’s attempt was straight at Donnarumma.

The visitors then struck the woodwork again through Joao Neves. It was an improvised effort from the midfielder, as he prodded the ball into ground causing it to bounce onto the crossbar.

Mikel Arteta’s players controlled the remainder of the contest to preserve their unbeaten record in the competition.

Read – Arsenal vs PSG combined XI ahead of Champions League clash

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium will be at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, 29th April 2025.

Who is the referee?

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will be the match official. Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic will assist him while Matej Jug will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Alen Borosak and he will be assisted by Dennis Higler.

Read – Champions League semi-finals are the most open in 20 years