New Delhi: For Arsenal to shed their “nearly team” tag, they have to do something they haven’t done before, and a feat that only two teams have achieved in the history of the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners face a daunting task of overcoming a 1-0 deficit in the semifinal against French side Paris-Saint Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
Since the appointment of Mikel Arteta in 2019, Arsenal have gained a reputation for choking in the Premier League when it matters the most. Despite challenging for titles, the Gunners have run out of gas in multiple seasons, throwing away good starts and buckling under pressure.
Can Arsenal overcome the “nearly team” hurdle
The 2024-25 season has been nothing different. After mounting a serious challenge against Liverpool, the London side has faded owing to inconsistent performances and injuries. The Reds took advantage of the weak challenge and ran out comfortable winners last weekend as Arsenal were left to rue their mistakes in another season.
Though a maiden Champions League title, which will be their first major trophy since the 2019 FA Cup, could turn another “what would/could have been season” into a memorable one.
Standing in front of them is a dogged PSG side which, despite securing just 13 points before the knockout stages, defeated Premier League champions Liverpool and Aston Villa on their way to the semi-finals.
In the semi-final first leg, Luis Enrique’s side produced a stellar display as Ousmane Dembele’s early opener handed the Ligue 1 champions a narrow advantage heading into the second leg.
Partey’s return: A game changer for Arsenal’s chances?
But boosted by the return of Thomas Partey, the influencer and enforcer in the midfield, Arsenal would be buoyed to make a comeback.
Partey, suspended for the first leg in London, was a big miss for the Gunners. In his absence, Declan Rice was forced to play in a less advanced role, enabling PSG to control the midfield. The Ghana international’s return will also free Mikel Merino to play up front in his favoured position.
Arsenal’s uphill battle
The Parisian side is not the only challenge Arsenal is facing in the semifinal. The Gunners also face a race against history to reach their second Champions League final. Only two teams have recovered from a 0-1 first-leg deficit in the history of Europe’s top competition. Moreover, UEFA statistics state that PSG have won 18 of 19 ties after a first-leg away victory, and Arsenal has never recovered from a home first-leg defeat in the UCL, losing all five fixtures.
Both teams are gunning for their first title. PSG came close twice in the last five years, losing to Borussia Dortmund at this stage last year and being beaten by Bayern Munich in the 2020 final. Meanwhile, Arsenal was runner-up to Barcelona in 2006.
The winner of the mouthwatering encounter will face Inter Milan on May 31 after the three-time champions edged past Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in one of the iconic semifinals in the tournament’s history.
Arsenal face a monumental task in their Champions League semi-final second leg against PSG, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Their recent history of faltering in crucial moments adds to the pressure. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
