Soccer
Tomorrow, Arsenal Seek Redemption in Paris as Champions League Semi-Final Showdown Looms
With a place in the Champions League final at stake, Arsenal heads to Paris needing a turnaround against PSG. The Gunners must overcome a 1-0 first-leg loss to keep their European dreams alive.
Arsenal faces a defining moment in their European campaign as they travel to the Parc des Princes for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Gunners must overturn the deficit on French soil to reach the final of Europe’s premier competition for just the second time in their history.
The lead-up to this high-stakes encounter has been far from ideal for Mikel Arteta’s men. A weekend defeat to Bournemouth has further complicated their domestic aspirations, risking their Champions League qualification hopes for next season. Momentum, however, is elusive on both sides of this clash.
PSG also faltered over the weekend, suffering a rare loss with a heavily rotated squad. That result, however, masks their impressive knockout round form, having already eliminated two English clubs on their road to the semis. Now, they aim to complete a Premier League hat-trick by sending Arsenal home empty-handed.
Match Preview
- Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 8:00 PM BST
- Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
The tension is palpable as both clubs aim to salvage their seasons. For Arsenal, success in Paris would mark a major turnaround after a turbulent few weeks. For PSG, reaching the final would further validate their dominance over English opponents in this year’s competition.
Where to Watch
Fans in the UK can catch the action live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7:00 PM BST. Discovery+ subscribers can stream the match via the app or website. Live text coverage and analysis will also be available throughout the match on Standard Sport’s live blog.
Team Updates
Arsenal enters the clash with several concerns. Defender Jurrien Timber is a major doubt after missing the weekend fixture, and while Kai Havertz is expected to return later this month, he won’t be available in time for this critical fixture. Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhães, and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined.
However, there is some good news for the Gunners. Midfield anchor Thomas Partey returns from suspension, and club captain Martin Ødegaard is fit to feature despite previous injury concerns. Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori remain questionable.
On the PSG side, winger Ousmane Dembélé is pushing to return from a hamstring injury sustained in the first leg. Though he missed the weekend’s defeat to Strasbourg, he has resumed training and could play a part in Wednesday’s decisive clash.
Prediction
The outcome of this match could define Arsenal’s season. A strong start, ideally with an early goal, would tilt the momentum in their favor and put pressure on the hosts. While PSG remains a formidable opponent, Arsenal has shown the grit needed to claw back into games.
Head-to-Head Record
This semi-final has seen both clubs exchange victories for the first time in their brief Champions League history. Arsenal won their group stage encounter 2-0 in October, while PSG claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg of the semi-final.
Odds Snapshot
Prediction: Arsenal to win 2-0 and advance to the final.