The rich heritage, captivating traditions, and undeniable talent of football converge as the Champions League reaches its peak – the semi-finals. However, contrasting with the prominent pairing of Barcelona and Inter, Arsenal and PSG have less impressive records.

This evening in London, at the iconic Emirates Stadium, two teams that have yet to clinch the European title face off.

Both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have appeared in a Champions League final once, only to face defeat – Arsenal in 2006 to Barcelona and PSG in 2020 to Bayern Munich.

In contrast, Barcelona boasts five European titles, while Inter has three. Nonetheless, this first semi-final is poised to deliver its own share of excitement.

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Both Arsenal and PSG are eager to make history – for themselves and European football. In this semi-final matchup, it seems there isn’t a clear favorite, unlike the clash between Barcelona and Inter.

Paris Saint-Germain’s prospects surged following a commanding performance that saw them eliminate Liverpool in the Round of 16. Under Luis Enrique, they were considered second favorites to win the Champions League (after Barcelona); however, Arsenal’s impressive two-legged quarter-final against the reigning champions Real Madrid, which they won 5:1 on aggregate, balanced the scales somewhat.

Conversely, PSG faced struggles against Aston Villa during the quarter-finals, with a 3:1 advantage in the first leg nearly slipping away in the second leg, giving Arsenal a clearer path into the semi-finals.

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Arsenal hasn’t lost at home in their last two European matches. Their recent opponents, including current champions Real Madrid (0:0, Champions League quarter-finals), were also defeated in that stretch.

This provides them with a slight advantage as they approach the first leg at home tonight.

“My preference has always been to play the second leg at home, but this is our current situation. We learn from this, recognizing the advantages and opportunities. In European matches, second legs can be unpredictable and intense,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

“Arsenal holds a tremendous opportunity, not just to eliminate PSG but to win the Champions League,” commented former striker Paul Merson, now a Sky Sports analyst.

“Opportunities like this are rare. PSG is formidable, having already taken out two English teams, but despite their strength against Liverpool, vulnerabilities emerged, especially in the second leg against Aston Villa,” added Merson.

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It’s been 19 years since Arsenal last competed in a Champions League final, achieving it under Arsene Wenger after eliminating Villarreal. Can Arteta achieve a similar milestone?

Unlike Arteta, his compatriot at PSG, Luis Enrique, has a second chance in quick succession. Last season, with star Mbappe on their side, they were favored against Borussia Dortmund but fell short in the semi-finals. Now, they have another significant opportunity to reach the final.

“We are preparing for everything – including Arsenal’s disruptive tactics, similar to what we faced with Liverpool. Liverpool has at least the same capabilities as Arsenal, if not more. Aston Villa also presents considerable challenges, as do many teams in the Premier League. We’re anticipating an intense battle in both legs. Our preparation won’t hinge on any singular aspect of the game. Here, competitiveness is essential in every area of the pitch,” said Enrique.

Earlier this season, Arsenal defeated PSG 2-0 in league play. Does that carry any meaning?

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