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According to Paul Merson from Sky Sports, Arsenal has a strong chance to overcome Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final, presenting them with a significant opportunity to claim the trophy.
The Gunners will host the Ligue 1 team at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, following a six-day break from their last match against Crystal Palace, with the second leg set for the following Wednesday at the Parc des Princes.
These teams have already met in Europe this season, where Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory at the Emirates during the group stage.
However, PSG’s performance has noticeably sharpened recently, as they eliminated both Liverpool and Aston Villa in earlier knockout rounds, and Luis Enrique’s squad aspires to take down another Premier League team to reach the finals in Munich.
Here, Merson shares his insights on the upcoming clash and outlines why he believes Mikel Arteta’s squad can triumph…
‘Arsenal have every chance of beating PSG’
“I am confident Arsenal will win over the two matches. We often focus too heavily on the PSG that played in the first leg against Liverpool. Although they performed impressively at the Parc des Princes, they still lost 1-0 and struggled at Anfield,” he remarked.
“Then they rebounded to dominate Aston Villa, scoring a crucial goal just as time was running out to secure a 3-1 lead. At points during that match, it seemed like Aston Villa was poised to take control.”
“Arsenal certainly has a chance.”
“I appreciate the scheduling of the fixtures for Arsenal. Many teams structure their league games around the Champions League, but Arsenal seems to have managed a refreshing break before this critical match for the first time in ages.”
Who are the favorites to win the Champions League?
Jamie Carragher from Sky Sports stated:
“All four teams in contention are comparable in strength. Normally, teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Liverpool emerge as favorites. As for this season, Barcelona has been defensively vulnerable.”
“Mikel Arteta has shown great managerial skills, and he’s achieved remarkable progress. It’s crucial for him to secure a trophy at this point.”
‘Arsenal must aim for greater consistency next season’
In the meantime, Arsenal will face Bournemouth in the Premier League on May 3, scheduled between their Champions League matches against PSG, airing on Saturday Night Football. Questions have also arisen about Arteta’s tactical choices in the recent draw with Crystal Palace…
“In my view, Arsenal should shift their focus away from the Bournemouth match. They have a tremendous opportunity in the Champions League, and they won’t fall outside the top five in the league standings with enough games remaining.”
“The upcoming matches against Paris Saint-Germain are monumental. They have an exceptional chance to win the Champions League, a title that has eluded them thus far.”
“If Arsenal is serious about claiming the Premier League title, this is the kind of scenario that will recur each season. Good teams consistently progress in various competitions; thus, they must rely on their squad depth and deliver strong performances week after week.”
“I wish for Arsenal to succeed for Mikel Arteta. After five years at the helm, he deserves that significant accolade.”
“However, Arteta must be concerned: if they’re in second place in the league and just a few points behind, they cannot afford performances like the one against Crystal Palace. This underscores the respect that must be given to Manchester City, who have consistently delivered results, won titles, and advanced in the Champions League, even securing the trophy.”
“Next season will necessitate a higher level of consistency from Arsenal. While things have slipped somewhat in that department, they can argue that they’ve now switched their focus to the Champions League.”
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“Opportunities like this are rare. Facing PSG in a semi-final, particularly after having beaten them in the group stage, is significant.”
“If it were up to me, I would have rotated more players in the match against Crystal Palace. If [William] Saliba were to sustain an injury, the Champions League ambitions could be dashed. Nevertheless, I believe Arteta fielded a reasonably strong lineup given the importance of Tuesday night’s encounter.”
‘All or nothing for Arsenal’
Reflecting on the upcoming pivotal matches, Merson stated:
“Next week’s game is huge; Arsenal has never won the Champions League and is unable to pursue the Premier League title. I didn’t find fault with their performance against Crystal Palace, especially considering the circumstances. The focus is entirely on Tuesday night and the following week; those matches encapsulate their season.”
“They are certain to secure a top-five finish. If they were to win the Champions League while finishing third or fourth, that would mark a remarkable season in my eyes.”
“However, football is unpredictable; a loss against PSG combined with a third or fourth place finish could alter perceptions dramatically, making for a challenging narrative around Arsenal.”
‘Leeds should consider Sterling’
Additionally, Merson suggested that newly promoted Leeds United should consider signing Raheem Sterling, indicating that the forward’s tenure at Arsenal might be nearing its end.
“It’s a tough position for Sterling. With Arsenal, he’s finding himself in a rotational role, rather than consistently starting, which disrupts his rhythm. I empathize with him, but I suspect his time at the club is concluding.”
“If I were in Leeds United’s position, I would take a serious look at Raheem. They have a youthful, attacking squad, and he possesses vast experience as well as a positive presence in the locker room.”
“He has enjoyed notable successes, including winning multiple Premier League titles. Joining Leeds would present a fresh challenge, where the expectations may not be as pronounced compared to Arsenal. A 17th place finish could be seen as a victory, so it could be a beneficial transfer for both parties.”
Source
www.skysports.com