Arsenal will try to reach the UCL final for the first time in 19 years

There is a simmering sense of occasion around the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight. It is the Gunners’ most significant European tie since their last final appearance in 2006, and it comes after a quarter-final performance that served as a reminder of just how far Mikel Arteta’s side have come.

Against Real Madrid, Arsenal were composed, clinical and courageous — winning 3-0 at home and sealing a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu to progress with a commanding 5-1 aggregate scoreline. That triumph was not just a statement; it was an evolution, a maturity that many have waited to see from this young and ambitious squad.

Now, another challenge looms. PSG have grown stronger as the competition has progressed, overcoming Liverpool and Aston Villa in successive rounds. Under Luis Enrique, they have found a new resilience — a resilience Arsenal must find a way to puncture once again.

Team News for Arsenal and PSG
Arsenal’s preparation has been disrupted by injuries to key players. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhães are all ruled out for both legs. Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori also remain sidelined.

However, there was encouragement as Ben White and Mikel Merino returned to training on Monday and should be available. Thomas Partey, meanwhile, is suspended for the first leg.

PSG’s squad arrives in London with minimal concerns. Midfielder Fabian Ruiz avoided a costly booking in their tense second-leg win over Aston Villa and will be available tonight. Enrique’s travelling party suggests that, for now, he has no new injuries to contend with.

Arsenal vs PSG Prediction: Edge of Belief
It has been evident throughout 2025 that PSG have found their rhythm under Enrique, but Arsenal are the one side to have unsettled them. The 2-0 win at the Emirates in October, sealed by goals from Havertz and Bukayo Saka, has aged particularly well — proof that this Gunners side can tactically outmanoeuvre the French champions.

PSG were rattled at Villa Park, and the Emirates crowd has shown it can create a similarly intimidating environment. If Arsenal can summon the same intensity that saw off Real Madrid, they could well take a slender advantage to Paris.

As mentioned, PSG will likely be without Dembele due to the hamstring injury he suffered in the first leg.

Arsenal will welcome back Partey, and will hope Jurrien Timber can join him after missing out against Bournemouth with a minor injury.

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Fabian, Vitinha, Neves, Barcola, Doue, Kvaratskhelia.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Saka, Merino, Martinelli.