Arsenal have booked their spot in the Champions league semifinal in Thursday. After their commanding win against the Los Blancos in an aggregate score of 5-1. Arteta’s Arsenal displayed a performance of brilliance in both the legs of the tie. With Declan Rice and Saka being the star performers for the gunners. The gunners will now face the test of Paris Saint German (PSG) in the semifinal. The French champions had to beat Unai Emery’s Aston Villa before entering the semifinal.
Gunners quarterfinal performance:
Arsenal outclasses Real Madrid in both the legs of the tie. In the first leg the gunners won by an commanding victory by a margin of 3-0. In the return leg, the gunners showed a great shape and pressure to win by a margin of 2-1. Thanks to the goals from the Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Which meant that the gunners win by a total aggregate of 5-1 against the Los Blancos. Saka who missed his penalty early in the game redeemed himself by a scoring a stunner. Declan’s performance in both the legs can be praised highly. From his contributions of the two goals in the first leg with his defensive resilience . Declan made some important blocks and intercept denying Los Blancos any chance to score. Mikel Merino’s assist in both the legs and his goal in the first half played a crucial role for them.
PSG’s road:
PSG also went through a dramatic quarterfinal journey. After beating Aston Villa 3-1 at home the French side lost by 3-2 in the second leg. Despite the loss they won with an aggregate score of 5-3 ensuring their progress to the next stage. Ousmane Dembele was the sides main man for the side leading from the front. With support from midfielders like Vitinha and Joao Neves. The goalkeeper Donnarumma played a great game by blocking some important shots. Luis Enrique’s men are having a good attacking dynamic with a good midline to support to them with the speed of players like Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi. Providing them to the opportunity to reach the final as they in 2020.
Arsenal Versus PSG
This upcoming semifinal tie will be a battle between two modern footballing team playing with possession-based strategy. Relying on quick ball movements with overlapping fullbacks backed by the firepower in the midfield. Arsenal would rely heavily on players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with their captain Martin Ødegaard. While PSG’s attacking would be led by Ousmane Dembele and young talents like Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. The midfield battle is set to be an exciting one as likes of Declan Rice and Mikheil Merino for the gunners and Vitinha with Joao Neves for PSG will clash against each other.
Author’s opinion:
This clash will also be a test for both the managers tactically. With Arteta striving for his first champions final as manger with the gunners. Meanwhile Luis Enrique has won it with his former side FC Barcelona, who are also on the other semifinal and would also like to complete the treble in his first season. After winning the French league few weeks ago. As Arsenal prepare to host the first leg in the Emirates, the expectation are high from both the teams to be tough battle in the road to final. The winner of this semifinal will play the final against the winner of the other tough semifinal between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona.
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