May 7, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain - Arsenal
Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Paris Saint-Germain will welcome London's Arsenal to their legendary Parc des Princes stadium on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, for the second leg of the Champions League semifinal. The French champions will be defending a 1-0 advantage from the first match, in which Ousmane Dembélé scored an early goal in the 4th minute to secure an important advantage before the home return leg.
The first match in London clearly showed the difference in current form between the two teams. While PSG under Luis Enrique's guidance has risen to a new level and become the scourge of English clubs, Arsenal, playing their first Champions League semifinal since 2009, started nervously and was pushed back by their opponent in the opening phase of the match.
In the return leg, several players will have key roles, and their individual statistics indicate how important they will be for their teams. PSG midfielder João Neves averages 3.6 tackles per 90 minutes in this season's Champions League, making at least three such tackles in four of his last five appearances. The Portuguese midfielder will be crucial in disrupting Arsenal's offensive actions.
PSG's Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia averages 3.7 shots per 90 minutes in the Champions League, attempting at least three shots in each of his last five starts in the competition. In the first leg, he assisted Dembélé's goal, and his creativity will again be important for PSG's offensive strength.
Another pillar for the Parisians is goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made five saves in each of his last two Champions League matches against Aston Villa and Arsenal. He averages 2.3 saves per 90 minutes this season but has significantly improved his performances in the knockout phase of the competition.
For Arsenal, Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino will be crucial, having conceded two fouls in six of his last seven Champions League matches. In three of his last five games in the competition, he both won and conceded at least two fouls, highlighting his importance in midfield.
Arsenal's young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly has won five fouls in each of his last two Champions League appearances. He averages 3.1 fouls won per 90 minutes in the competition, the third-highest rate (min. 450 minutes played). His ability to draw opponents and win set pieces could be key to the "Gunners'" chances.
In their first meeting this season in the Champions League league phase in October, Arsenal comfortably won 2-0 at Emirates Stadium. However, PSG has since transformed into a much stronger team and become the nemesis of English clubs. Besides Arsenal in the return leg, they have managed to defeat Manchester City in the league phase, eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16, and overcame Aston Villa in the quarterfinals this Champions League season.
Arsenal faces a challenging task, as overturning a Champions League semifinal after losing the home leg has only been accomplished by two teams in history - Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur. However, Mikel Arteta believes his team can deliver "something special" in Paris and advance to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.
Photo: source XYZ
We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data.
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