Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will collide in a blockbuster UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, with both sides dreaming of ending their long wait for European glory.
Mikel Arteta’s men produced a stunning performance to outclass Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, earning a showdown with the reigning French champions, who ended Aston Villa’s hopes in the last eight after previously edging out Liverpool.
The Gunners now face another major challenge against a PSG side that has defeated two Premier League clubs en route to the semi-finals. However, confidence is high in North London, as Arsenal aim to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
The first leg takes place at the Emirates, with the return leg scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, at the Parc des Princes. Both teams last met in October during the group stage, when Arsenal recorded a 2-0 victory on home soil, a result PSG will be eager to avenge.
Luis Enrique’s PSG side has shown significant improvement since that defeat, knocking out English champions Liverpool and a resilient Aston Villa to stake their claim for a maiden Champions League title.
Arsenal, meanwhile, dispatched Real Madrid with a commanding 3-0 win in the first leg at the Emirates and will hope for a similarly electric atmosphere to fuel them once again.
“Bring your boots, your shorts, your T-shirts, and let’s play every ball together,” Arteta urged fans ahead of the clash.
“That place has to be something special.”
This marks Arsenal’s first semi-final appearance since 2009, while PSG are seeking redemption after falling to Borussia Dortmund at this stage last season.
The winner of this tie will face either Inter Milan or Barcelona in the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, May 31.
