Arsenal vs PSG: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

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·29 aprile 2025

Arsenal vs PSG: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Arsenal have never lost to Paris Saint-Germain in five previous meetings, defeating them 2-0 in the league phase back in October. PSG have lost five of their last six visits to England.

These two clubs have accumulated the most Champions League victories of all sides never to have won the competition, hence why both are determined to be in Munich in 32 night's time.

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Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain preview

Arsenal have already enjoyed their most famous European night of modern times this season, now hoping this tie will eclipse that. Few forecast that Mikel Arteta's team would overcome Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, but they actually did so convincingly. Declan Rice's free-kick double grabbed the headlines during the 3-0 demolition in North London, before goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli finished the job, securing an equally historic 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu.

Thus, this will be only the Gunners' third Champions League semi-final, and first for 16 years, with supporters dreaming of reaching just a second final, hoping to avenge the defeat at the hands of Barcelona from 2006. After Liverpool were officially crowned Premier League champions on Sunday, this is Arsenal's only hope of silverware, so can they establish a first leg advantage?

As for Paris Saint-Germain, they've already beaten Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa in this season's Champions League, seeking to complete the English set. After a penalty shootout victory at Anfield, les Rouge-et-Bleu overcame the Villans earlier this month, winning 3-1 at Parc des Princes, before racing into a 2-0 lead inside half an hour at Villa Park. However, PSG then conceded thrice in 23 minutes, with Aston Villa thereby setting up a grand-stand finish, but les Parisiens, just about, held on for a 5-4 aggregate victory.

This is actually the fourth time in six years that PSG have reached the Champions League semi-finals, beaten by Borussia Dortmund at this stage two years ago. Nevertheless, Luis Enrique's side are certainly stronger now than they were back then, considering they've won seven of their last nine Champions League outings, scoring 27 goals in the process. An 11th Ligue 1 title in just 13 seasons was rubber stamped weeks ago, but PSG's hopes of going the entire season unbeaten did go up in flames on Friday night, defeated 3-1 by Nice at home. Nevertheless, their priority is this tie, so will les Parisiens be in pole position, ahead of Wednesday's return leg at Parc des Princes?

Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain head-to-head record

Matches Played: 5.

Arsenal Wins: 2. Draws: 3. Paris Saint-Germain Wins: 0.

Arsenal team news

This is Arsenal's first fixture for six days, so Mikel Arteta's key players should be recharged and refreshed. However, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain injured, while Thomas Partey is suspended, having been booked during his last three Champions League appearances, which could be a big blow.

Thus, Arteta will be forced into a reshuffle, with most expecting that Mikel Merino will return to midfield, with Leandro Trossard deployed as the centre-forward. Bukayo Saka suffered a nasty whack on his achilles at Ipswich on Easter Sunday but, having come off the bench for the final half an hour against Crystal Palace last mid-week, will be fit to start.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Paris Saint-Germain: (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Ødegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Arsenal player to watch vs Paris Saint-Germain

Bukayo Saka will certainly continue to be Arsenal's main goal threat; he scored a direct free-kick when PSG visited in October, while his dink at the Bernabéu took his tally to nine goals in 16 Champions League appearances.

Paris Saint-Germain team news

Interestingly, despite having already won the title, Luis Enrique put out his strongest side on Friday night, so would've been slightly concerned by the fact they were beaten 3-1 by Nice. The only real question mark comes out-wide, where Désiré Doué's recent form is likely to see him get the nod over Bradley Barcola, with January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the opposite flank.

Captain Marquinhos will make his 105th Champions League appearance; only Gianluigi Buffon, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Antoine Griezmann have made more without ever capturing the trophy, so will this finally be his year?

Paris Saint-Germain predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián; Doué, Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé.

Paris Saint-Germain player to watch vs Arsenal

Ousmane Dembélé has scored a staggering 32 goals this season, 27 of which have come in 27 outings since 15 December. He did not face Arsenal in October, left out the squad due to disciplinary reasons, so could the French forward be the difference this time?

Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain prediction

We believe Arsenal simply must win this first leg to stand any chance of reaching the final, but we are backing the Gunners to make home advantage count on Tuesday: Arsenal 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain.