As those from the visiting side are quick to emphasize, a great deal has altered since Arsenal last welcomed Paris Saint-Germain to the Emirates Stadium. Luis Enrique stressed that seven months is a considerable duration, and following their demanding league group stage campaign, the French champions have had to `step up their game.` Vitinha unequivocally states the situation is `obviously` different.
And they are certainly correct. The PSG squad that arrived at the Emirates Stadium on October 1 showcased elegance with the ball but seemed entirely unable to trouble William Saliba and the rest of the defense. Their front three collectively managed only one shot, with their best opportunity falling to Achraf Hakimi mere seconds before the ninety-minute mark. With Ousmane Dembele sidelined and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia not yet acquired from Napoli, there was little indication that Luis Enrique was assembling one of Europe`s most formidable attacking units.
Arsenal`s lineup was also different. The defensive strength provided by Gabriel, now out until next season with a hamstring tear, alongside William Saliba made it simpler to operate without possession, especially when shielded by Thomas Partey and Declan Rice (both suspended for that game). That match was one instance where the 4-4-2 formation, lacking Martin Odegaard, appeared highly effective. Leandro Trossard is likely the only player from that specific eleven who will feature again, as Odegaard has returned but Kai Havertz has moved on.
The players have changed. PSG`s potential seems to have risen, while the consistency of Arsenal`s baseline performance is debated. What is almost certain to remain constant, however, is how the home side will approach the task from the very beginning.
When asked what he would take from that previous victory to apply to his team`s performance on Tuesday evening, Arteta commented, “I really admired the immediate intensity and presence we showed right from the start. Our body language, the tempo, our level of aggression. We played with genuine belief and determination, and facing strong opponents, you instantly need to frame the game within that context.”
Arteta was correct; this was Arsenal demonstrating maximum assertiveness. From the initial whistle, players such as Rice, Saliba, and Jurrien Timber imposed themselves on their opponents. They engaged in early challenges with force, with Timber notably suppressing Bradley Barcola for nearly the entire match. Arteta`s side functioned as a cohesive unit across the pitch, attacking and defending together. Bukayo Saka won more tackles than any other player, while Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were equally effective in PSG`s attacking third as in their own.
This collective effort has largely characterized Arsenal`s Champions League campaign. Against Real Madrid, they appeared a relentlessly organized team compared to a seemingly disconnected collection of individuals. While PSG is no longer the side known for neglecting defense during their era of superstar accumulation, a team that has only recently gelled over a few months will find it challenging to match the level of synchronization Arsenal has developed over several years.
He added: “I gather a lot of lessons from the game we played here. We understand their strength as a team and the quality of their individual players. But we possess the same qualities. At this stage, I believe the margins and the disparity between the two teams are not significant. It truly comes down to the mindset, the attitude, and how we approach the game tomorrow.”
This stands in stark contrast to the atmosphere within the PSG squad, who appear somewhat guarded when the topic of Arsenal`s midfield dominance is raised.
Understandably so, given their inability to effectively compete with Arsenal in the previous encounter. The defeat in London sent the French champions down a worrying early path in the competition, followed by further losses to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. For a period, their qualification for the league phase`s top 24 seemed uncertain. However, the addition of Kvaratskhelia and the blossoming of Dembele into a legitimate contender for the Ballon d`Or have transformed their attack. It is difficult to imagine this team being limited to just 0.4 expected goals again.
“There are significant differences,” stated Luis Enrique. “I have reviewed the match from early October. We are performing better now than we did then. In the league stage, we faced the most challenging group, and now we are in the semifinals. We played matches that could have been Champions League finals. While it didn`t put us in a favorable position, it was a beneficial experience. We had to significantly improve. We are now a very complete team.”
PSG`s quality may have improved, but they might still find themselves outnumbered on Tuesday, at least if Arteta`s plea to the Emirates crowd is answered. “Bring your boots, bring your shorts, bring your T-shirts, and let`s play every ball together,” he urged the Arsenal supporters.
The previous meeting was an oddly muted affair for a significant league phase game. With six rounds of matches still to be played, the importance of gaining three points was not immediately apparent in the first year of the Swiss system format. The Emirates Stadium had long awaited more grand European nights, but that match didn`t quite feel like one.
What *did* feel special was the impressive victory over Real Madrid, perhaps the most joyous occasion in the stadium`s nearly 20-year history – or at least, the most joyous one so far. Arteta desires more. “We want to achieve something special,” he said. “That place needs to become something extraordinary, something we haven`t experienced before. And I sincerely hope that everyone who comes to the Emirates tomorrow, and those watching and supporting us, brings that energy with them.”
“Tomorrow we also have a tremendous opportunity, as a club and as supporters, to show who we are and how much further we wish to go together.”
In the seven months since their last encounter, the balance seems to have shifted in PSG`s favor. They field a stronger lineup and arrive at the semifinal without injuries or suspensions. While they have transformed, they cannot alter the fundamental identity of Arsenal. That is a team defined by “presence, aggression, and intensity,” capable of unsettling any opponent. With 57,000 supporters acting as a reserve force, perhaps the outcome will be another element that remains unchanged.
