Arsene Wenger has praised Arsenal’s defensive solidity and is confident the club have what it takes to beat Paris Saint-Germain and reach this season’s Champions League final.
Arsenal saw off Real Madrid, the holders and 15-time European winners, in some style across a one-sided quarter-final tie to book their spot within the last 4 for the primary time in 16 years.
An inspired Declan Rice sent the Gunners on their way with two breathtaking free-kicks before Mikel Merino increased the deficit in a 3-0 victory in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s men picked up where they left off on the Bernabeu, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli netting either side of Vinicius Junior’s 67th-minute strike to spark jubilant scenes amongst Arsenal’s travelling support within the Spanish capital.
Luis Enrique has received widespread praise for overseeing a shift in ethos at PSG since taking on the reins in 2023, with the French champions inside touching distance of a trophy which has to date eluded them, very like Arsenal.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal on a regular basis
Get up to search out news in your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Enroll to our newsletter after which select your team within the link we’ll send you so we are able to get football news tailored to you.
The Ligue 1 giants survived an almighty scare against Aston Villa to advance through, though, and head into tonight’s Emirates showdown after only one win in 4 in all competitions.
‘I imagine that Arsenal have the potential to do it [beat PSG],’ former Arsenal manager Wenger told Sky Sports.
‘But after all, when you go to the semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain is a excellent team as well.
‘So everybody is happy about it so let’s see and hope.’
Wenger added: ‘The teams that undergo to the semi-final, they’ve some quality.
‘Then, it’s all the way down to the shape of the day, to the principal players who can show their efficiency on the day.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an internet
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Wenger believes it’s vitally essential Arsenal manage to maintain ten men on the sphere to present themselves the most effective possible probabilities of reaching their second ever Champions League final.
‘[It is important] that you’ve no sending off or silly reactions at some stage,’ the long-lasting Frenchman continued.
‘Overall, I imagine Arsenal could be very solid defensively and, over the 2 legs that can have a giant importance.’
Freddie Ljungberg was on the losing side as Barcelona got here from behind to beat Wenger’s team to the title in a memorable final in 2006.
This 12 months, the ex-Arsenal and Sweden winger is hopeful the Gunners can knock out PSG and go all the way in which.
‘I believe they’ve a really, excellent probability,’ Ljungberg told Sky Sports.
‘There are such a lot of players that may hurt PSG, but obviously you’ve the set-pieces, where I believe they’ll or will hurt them.
‘Then you’ve Declan Rice who, after all, would have gotten confidence from his two free-kicks, but when he wins the ball in transition he can drive forward and get a player like Bukayo Saka into the sport.
‘Obviously, he [Saka] is lethal and might win any game.’
Asked if Arsenal can finally lift the trophy, Ljungberg replied: ‘I believe so, 100 per cent, they’ve a fantastic side.
‘I believe everybody was a bit dissatisfied concerning the league, but that is their probability and I believe they’ll do it.’
Who will win this 12 months’s Champions League?
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Arsenal vs PSG: TV channel, confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injuries
MORE: Arsenal sent Martin Zubimendi transfer message by Real Sociedad chief
MORE: Mikel Arteta labels Arsenal vs PSG ‘one in all the largest games’ in 19 years at Emirates
