Chasing History in Paris
Mikel Arteta is urging Arsenal to seize a historic opportunity in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on May 7, 2025, at Parc des Princes, trailing 1-0 from the first leg. Fresh off a stunning 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Arteta sees the chance to eclipse that Bernabeu triumph. “We are here to make history,” he told Sky Sports, emphasizing the stakes in “one of the most beautiful cities” against a formidable PSG side. Despite a recent 2-1 loss to Bournemouth and a daunting historical record, only Ajax (1996) and Tottenham (2019) have reached the final after losing a semi-final first leg at home, Arteta remains defiant, rallying fans and players to “make it happen.” On X, @Arsenal hyped the match as a chance to “write history,” while @GoonerDaily expressed cautious hope.
Tactical and Mental Challenges
PSG’s 26-pass, fourth-minute goal by Ousmane Dembélé in the first leg exposed Arsenal’s early vulnerabilities, with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s five saves, including stops against Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, securing the 1-0 edge. Arteta, reflecting on the Emirates defeat, noted “small margins” decided the game, per The Guardian, and made a tactical tweak after 20 minutes to counter PSG’s press. Thomas Partey’s return from suspension bolsters Arsenal, allowing Declan Rice to play higher, as noted by The Standard. Rice, urging “big balls” for the hostile Parc des Princes, aims to exploit PSG’s set-piece weakness — 38% of their conceded goals come from dead balls. Arsenal’s 16 away goals in the 2024/25 Champions League, a club record, fuel optimism, but PSG’s three wins in four home games, scoring 14 goals, pose a stern test. Arteta’s mantra, “do something special,” echoes as Arsenal seek their first final since 2006.
