Arsenal and PSG battle for historic UCL final spot

Neither Arsenal nor Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have ever lifted the UEFA Champions League (UCL) trophy, but that will change for one of them if they can make it past this semi-final showdown. Arsenal host the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, and after stunning Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, Mikel Arteta’s men will feel confident of taking a major step towards ending their long wait for European glory.

The Gunners haven’t reached a UCL final since 2006, but there’s a strong sense of belief surrounding this side. They are unbeaten in their five previous meetings with PSG (W2, D3), including a 2-0 home win in the league phase last October. That victory forms part of an impressive 11-match unbeaten streak at home in the UCL (W9, D2). With domestic matters largely settled and next season’s UCL qualification secure, Arsenal have been able to pour all their energy into this historic European push.

In contrast, PSG arrive in London under less ideal circumstances. Despite wrapping up the Ligue 1 title early, the Parisians saw their hopes of an unbeaten league season dashed with a 3-1 defeat to Nice on Friday. While domestic dominance is routine for PSG, the Champions League remains the ultimate prize that has eluded them since the club’s Qatari-backed transformation more than a decade ago.

History, however, doesn’t favor PSG when visiting English clubs. They’ve lost five of their last six away UCL matches against English opposition (W1), and their record in semi-finals is equally worrying, with defeats in their last four appearances at this stage. Nevertheless, Luis Enrique’s side can draw confidence from eliminating English teams Aston Villa and Liverpool in previous knockout rounds this season.

For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka could prove to be a key figure. The young England international scored in the Gunners’ previous win over PSG at the Emirates and has an outstanding record in the competition, with Arsenal winning seven of the eight UCL matches in which he has found the net (D1). His influence could once again be decisive as the Gunners seek to make history.

Meanwhile, PSG will look to Ousmane Dembélé to provide the spark. The dynamic winger is just one goal contribution away from equaling the record for most goal involvements by a PSG player in a single UCL campaign. With six goals across PSG’s last four away UCL matches, Dembélé’s form on the road could be crucial if the Parisians are to finally reach the summit of European football.