Champions League analysis: PSG vs Arsenal – Five key battles and score prediction

Paris Saint-Germain welcomes Arsenal to the Parc des Princes in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off).

Luis Enrique’s charges find themselves 1-0 up after their first encounter, thanks to an Ousmane Dembele fourth minute strike.

Sports News Blitz writer Tom Nichols examines five battles to look out for in the winner-takes-all decisive clash.

Winner-takes-all on Wednesday night

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have already wrapped the premier league trophy in red ribbons, meaning Wednesday night is the last chance saloon for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal troops.

With Champions League glory on the line, a feat the Gunners have not yet accomplished in their stellar history, Arteta’s forces will aim to give everything they have got left in the tank to ensure this season ends on the highest of highs possible.

Conversely, PSG have made it four league triumphs in a row after clinching the Ligue 1 trophy in early April.

After their second string side succumbed to defeat at the hands of Strasbourg over the weekend, their first-team heavy-hitters are fully replenished and ready for a hard-fought incoming battle on their home turf.

Leandro Trossard vs Willian Pacho

Leandro Trossard has been filling in, in the number-nine position in the injury absences of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Trossard started up top in the previous leg for the Gunners and came close to scoring, however he was denied by a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Trossard has played 52 games in all competitions this season for Arsenal, scoring 10 goals and contributing seven assists.

The Belgian international will be hoping he can make up for his miss in the first leg by scoring his third Champions League goal of the season on Wednesday night.

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Willian Pacho joined PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in August 2024.

The Ecuadorian has cemented himself as one of the Parisians most important players, making 48 appearances in all competitions this season.

With an average performance rating of 7.06, one point five interceptions per game and two tackles per game, Pacho has established himself among the best young defenders in Europe.

Pacho has formed a formidable partnership with fellow South American and vastly experienced veteran center-half Marquinhos.

The pair have played 35 games together this season, keeping 10 clean sheets.

Bukayo Saka vs Nuno Mendes

If anyone is going to get Arsenal back into this tie, it is their star man Bukayo Saka. 

Despite missing three months of the season through injury, Saka has still managed to contribute 24 goals and assists for the Gunners this season.

Saka still put in a decent performance in the first leg, despite not making the scoresheet on the night.

The winger will be looking to get the better of rising star left-back Nuno Mendes and help his side get back into the tie.

Mendes was a vital part of PSG’s win at the Emirates in last week's first-leg clash.

The left back recorded a rating of 7.2, made three clearances and secured an impressive five tackles.

Up against Saka, the Portuguese international will need to be at the top of his game to keep the winger quiet.

Last time out, Mendes seemed to frustrate Saka and got the better of him. 

This one is a clash worth the price of the entry ticket alone.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vs Jurrien Timber

Regarded as one of the best wingers in world football, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provided the assist for Dembele’s winning goal last time out at the Emirates.

Since his January arrival from Napoli, Kvaratskhelia has scored four and provided five assists in his first 20 appearances.

The Georgian international will be looking to replicate his impressive performances to seal semi-final triumph for PSG.

Jurrien Timber signed for Arsenal from Dutch giants Ajax in July 2023. 

Timber’s first season in North London did not go to plan, with the fullback making just three appearances in the season after sustaining a long-term ACL injury. 

However, Timber has made 47 appearances this season, helping the Gunners to a likely second place Premier League finish and a Champions League semi-final.

This season, Timber has won an impressive 133 duels alongside 38 tackles and 22 interceptions.

Ousmane Dembele vs David Raya

Dembele scored the only goal of the first leg, firing a first time shot off the post, past a helpless David Raya.

The Frenchman will be looking to add to his impressive 33 goals this season.

With Arsenal needing to attack from the off, Dembele could run riot on the counter attack, something Arsenal and Mikel Arteta need to be wary of.

Since joining from fellow London side Brentford, Raya has been Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper, replacing Aaron Ramsdale.

Last season, Raya conceded just 31 goals in 41 appearances, keeping 20 clean sheets in the process.

Raya has helped establish Arsenal’s defence as one of the best in the league and across Europe.

The Spaniard, alongside William Saliba and Gabriel, have aided the Gunners in conceding only 60 goals over the last two Premier League seasons.

Mikel Arteta vs Luis Enrique

Arsenal have suffered a drop in form recently with two losses and a draw in their last three games.

Due to Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Arteta may have to set his side up to be more attacking, which could ultimately backfire and play into PSG’s counter attacking ability.  

Arsenal had some huge chances in the first leg but failed to convert any of them, namely at the feet of Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

Arteta will be hoping his side can rediscover their clinical edge in the lead up to Wednesday’s second leg.

Luis Enrique has his PSG side playing some attractive football and it’s paying dividends.

The front three of Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Desire Doue have been great to watch recently and have produced impressive attacking output.

PSG’s performances of late have been receiving plaudits from all over the world, and it’s all down to the work of Enrique.

Up against a fellow Spaniard in Arteta, Enrique will be hoping he can lead PSG to their second ever Champions League final.

As a result of Arsenal's poor run of form, those woes likely continue in Paris.

With their second stringers losing to Strasbourg, it’s hard to look past a fully-loaded PSG in this one.

Score prediction: PSG 2-1 Arsenal

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