Mikel Arteta reveals what Arsenal need to beat PSG after narrow home defeat
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Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal side to deliver “something special” in Paris next week as they aim to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain and book their place in the UEFA Champions League final.
The Gunners fell behind early in Tuesday night’s semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium, with Ousmane Dembélé’s fourth-minute goal giving the French champions a crucial away win. It leaves Arsenal with everything to play for in the return leg at the Parc des Princes.
Arteta, whose side are aiming to reach only their second Champions League final in history — and the first since 2006 — referenced Arsenal’s emphatic quarter-final victory over Real Madrid as a source of inspiration. The north London club beat the Spanish giants 3-0 at home before sealing qualification with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu.
“If you want to be in the Champions League final, you have to do something special,” Arteta said after the match. “We’re going to have to do something special in Paris to be there.
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“We’re at half-time, and my message is exactly the same as it was after the Madrid game. We have to go to Paris and win. We are more than capable of doing it.
“I saw two very good teams tonight, but the margins are so small. PSG were clinical in front of goal, and their goalkeeper made the difference.”
Indeed, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was in inspired form, producing key saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. The visitors, however, missed chances to increase their lead, with Bradley Barcola wasting a golden opportunity and Gonçalo Ramos hitting the crossbar late on.
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History is not on Arsenal’s side — they have never progressed in Europe after losing the first leg of a knockout tie at home. However, Arteta’s men remain defiant.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya echoed his manager’s confidence, saying: “We showed from the 25th minute that we can win against any team. We’ve shown this season we can win away from home, so we’re going to Paris next week to win the game.”
In a further boost, Arsenal will be able to call upon Thomas Partey for the return leg after the Ghanaian midfielder served a one-match suspension.
The second leg takes place next Wednesday in Paris, with a spot in the final in Munich at stake.
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