Football Match: Arsenal vs PSG - UEFA Champions League Semifinal: Kickoff Time, Squad Updates, Player Lineups
Rewritten Article:
Football fanatics are in for a treat as Arsenal squares off against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League semifinal, first leg, at Emirates Stadium, London. Tune in to Al Jazeera Sport for a thrilling live commentary experience!
These sublime European titans have made a name for themselves, and this encounter promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Let's break down the key details before the match!
Last Meeting: A Close Encounter
It's been a while since these sides faced off in the Champions League, with their last encounter back in October. Goals by Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka propelled Arsenal to a 2-0 home victory over PSG at Emirates Stadium. Since then, PSG has done a complete turnaround, largely due to manager Luis Enrique's decision to drop star striker Ousmane Dembele against Arsenal for disciplinary reasons - a move that sparked Dembele's mindblowing run of form.
Champions on the Rise
Both Arsenal and PSG have showcased their mettle to advance to the semi-finals. PSG stunned Premier League contenders Liverpool in the round of 16, progressing on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate tie. Following that impressive showing, they overpowered Aston Villa at the quarterfinals, securing a 5-4 aggregate triumph and booking their third Champions League semifinals in five years.
Arsenal, meanwhile, not only caused a massive upset by defeating defending champions Real Madrid in the quarters but also thrashed Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the round of 16.
Injury Report: Arsenal vs PSG
Team News: Arsenal
Manager Mikel Arteta has some tough decisions to make, with key midfielder Thomas Partey unavailable due to a one-game suspension. Mikel Merino seems likely to take Partey's spot, with Leandro Trossard moving into the forward line as Merino replaces him. The injury worries continue as Jorginho, who would have been a suitable Partey replacement, is recovering from a rib injury. Defenders Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori are nursing knee injuries, with their participation uncertain. Important players like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
Team News: PSG
In a rare occurrence this late in the season, PSG manager Luis Enrique's squad is injury-free for Tuesday's encounter with Arsenal, offering a boost to PSG's expectations. The team will probably retain their starting XI, with the only potential change being the replacement of Desire Doue by Bradley Barcola in the midfield.
A Battle of Minds
Arteta stands on the precipice of defeating one of the most impactful figures in his football life to reach the Champions League final. His adversary – a close friend who played a crucial role in mentoring Arteta from his playing days to his transition into management. Enrique was a star performer at Barcelona during Arteta's early career there, significantly influencing Arteta's managerial philosophy at Arsenal.
"He was an outstanding mentor for the young players. He was one of the main forces on the team. I have wonderful memories of him," Arteta said. "What I admire about him is that his fingerprints are all over the place, no matter where he is, as a player or manager. You can sense it's his team, the way his players play, the way they want to attack, dominate games."
Starting Lineups
Arsenal possible starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
PSG possible starting XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Spotlight Player: Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
The charismatic French forward lit up the European stage this season, setting one of the greatest offensive records in Europe. In 44 domestic league matches, Dembele scored an impressive 32 goals and accumulated a stunning 12 assists, playing a crucial role in PSG's remarkable 30-match unbeaten streak. His exceptional goalscoring ability essentially contributed to PSG claiming the Ligue 1 title with a staggering six games remaining in the season.
- The breaking news for sports fans is the upcoming UEFA Champions League semifinal match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a clash that promises to be a riveting spectacle.
- Despite its close encounter ending in a 2-0 victory for Arsenal during their last meeting with PSG, the futures of both teams look bright as they face each other again.
- Tuesday's encounter between Arsenal and PSG lays significant weight on the minds of both managers, Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique, with each wanting to outdo their former colleague and friend.
- Riccardo Calafiori, an important player for Arsenal, is uncertain to participate in the semifinal match against PSG due to a knee injury.
- Ousmane Dembele, the impressive French forward for PSG, has been setting records this season, contributing significantly to PSG's recent wins and their aim to claim more titles.
