April 18, 2025

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face a daunting task in the **Champions League** semi-finals, trailing Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 after the first leg. However, Arteta is callously optimistic, insisting his side can stage a comeback and make history. Here’s why.

Arsenal missed the influential **Thomas Partey** in the first leg, with suspensions ruling him out. His presence in midfield is crucial for Arsenal, especially against the fluid PSG attack.

• Partey’s suspension allowed **Declan Rice** to start in his place, but the Englishman struggled due to the shackles of a deep-lying role.
• Partey’s return allows Rice to revert to his preferred position, boosting Arsenal’s attacking menace.
• In desperate need is another striker, with **Mikel Merino’s** emergency heroics in attack ending due to a strategic reshuffle.

Arsenal, despite their loss, created more chances than PSG, with the impressive **Gianluigi Donnarumma** forced into five saves. Here’s why the return leg should see Arsenal extended hope:

• PSG’s Achilles’ heel has been set-pieces all season. Thirty-eight percent of their conceded goals have come from these situations.
• Arsenal will take heart from Aston Villa‘s successful high-press approach against PSG in the quarters.
• The absence of Ousmane Dembele, who scored PSG’s goal, could be a significant blow to the French champions. He’s a doubt for the second leg.

Only two teams have lost the home leg of a **Champions League** semi-final and gone on to reach the final. One of those was Tottenham in 2019. Now, it’s Arsenal’s turn to defy the odds?