Preview: Arsenal to face PSG in one of two UCL semi-finals

And then there were four. Each team with their own specific narrative, each potential winner creating their own story hoping the final chapter is glory not despair. For Arsenal and PSG, it is their opportunity for their first Champions League title. For Barcelona it would be their first European success after rebuilding with the next generation of La Masia and for Inter Milan it will be the end of a 15 year wait for European glory. But that glory can only befall one of them and for the rest it will be back to the building blocks for the next year.

Arsenal vs PSG

Arsenal’s mantra this campaign has been consistency, consistency, consistency. They flew through the group with relative ease, winning six, drawing one (a 0-0 draw to Atalanta) and losing one ( a 1-0 away loss to fellow semi-finalist Inter Milan) and have not looked back in the knockout stages. A record breaking 7-1 victory vs PSV in the first leg saw them comfortably into the quarters and their dismantling of an out of sorts Real Madrid see Arsenal into their first semi-final since 2006. PSG took the harder route after failing to finish in the top eight in their group, the team suffered three losses including a 2-0 one to Arsenal. Make no mistake however the PSG now are a vastly different beast to what they were at the start of the season. They comfortably saw off Brest in the play offs winning 10-0 on aggregate before putting in a dominant display against both Liverpool and Aston Villa. Add in a Ligue 1 title and Arsenal will be up against it to qualify.

So where can it be won for Arsenal?
One of the key aspects of Arsenal’s victories over Real Madrid was Lewis Skelly and Timber’s comfort in defending 1 v 1. Rodrygo and Vinicius usually so effective in those positions were not able to generate any real threat on Arsenal’s goal, instead offering lump crosses into the box that Saliba and Kiwior easily dealt with. PSG’s attack is similar in that regard, they have explosive direct wingers as well as a fast technical striker who looks to run in behind. Whilst, both Timber and Skelly will face a much tougher challenge compared to the fairly lacklustre performances of Real Madrid’s wingers, if they are able to isolate Doue and Kvaratskhelia to ineffective crosses into Arsenal’s box they can stop PSG. Another crucial battle will be that in midfield, there is no denying the technical abilities of Vitinha and Neves but where they struggled against Aston Villa was the brute physicality of McGinn and Onana. Here then the running power of Declan Rice and the physicality of Partey (in the second leg as he is suspended for the first) will be key. If Arsenal can take a two-goal lead back to the Parc De Princes, Arsenal’s defence will be confident in seeing the tie out.

Barcelona vs Inter

Simone Inzaghi vs Hansi Flick, the best defence in the Champions League vs the best attack. Inter Milan and Barcelona both have had impressive group stage campaigns finishing 4th and 2nd respectively. In the knockouts Barcelona have seen past a spirited Dortmund comeback (5-3) and dispatched Benfica (4-1) in the Round of 16. Inter Milan, got past a difficult Bayern Munich (4-3) and Feyenoord (4-1).

Inter Milan’s defence has rightly received plaudits this season, but Lautaro Martinez has been crucial as well. Eight goals in 11 games this campaign including important one’s vs Arsenal and Bayern Munich. He will be an important counter attacking presence for Inter, who will need to be clinical against their toughest opposition yet. For Barcelona, it will be the same story, using their wealth of youngsters Gavi, Yamal, Pedri supplemented by a rejuvenated Raphinia to dominate the game and create moments of magic to break down a staunch Inter defence.

The final awaits for two of these teams and for now it remains impossible to predict.