A place in the UEFA Champions League final is on the line as Paris Saint-Germain host Arsenal with a slender advantage heading into the second leg of their semifinal.
Ousmane Dembele’s early goal proved the difference last week at the Emirates Stadium. Both sides missed big chances to change the tide, so the French giants returned home with a narrow lead.
With both clubs seeking their first-ever Champions League title, there’s an enormous amount of competitive stakes on the line for these 90 minutes.
PSG will hope their recent shift in squad-building structure pays dividends in a big way, while Arsenal are continuing to endure a significant injury crisis, which scuttled their Premier League title chase but has thus far failed to destroy their European journey.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
PSG vs. Arsenal lineups, starting 11, team news
Luis Enrique rotated his PSG squad heavily over the weekend against Strasbourg, so all his regular starters should return, including Ousmane Dembele. The Ballon d’Or candidate exited the first leg late with what looked to be a muscle injury, but after being kept out of the weekend’s match as a precaution, should return to play here.
However, there’s a catch. According to a report just before kickoff, Dembele will only make the bench to begin this match. While it’s unconfirmed whether that’s down to fitness or tactics, it’s likely that the former is true. That means both Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue are included in the XI, with Barcola likely taking the No. 9 position.
Only oft-injured defender Presnel Kimpembe is confirmed as absent for PSG due to injury, this time a bone edema in his right foot. Lee Kang-in suffered a shin injury during the weekend defeat but is included amongst the substitutes as usual.
PSG starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Donnarumma (GK) — Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes — Nevez, Vitinha, F. Ruiz — Doue, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia.
PSG subs: Tenas (GK), Safonov (GK), Tape-Kobrissa, Beraldo, L. Hernandez, Mayulu, Zaire-Emery, Mbaye, Lee, Dembele, G. Ramos.
Injured: Kimpembe (foot).
Suspended: None.
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Without the suspended Thomas Partey in the first leg, Mikel Arteta moved Mikel Merino back to midfield and slotted in Leandro Trossard at striker, but the Belgian proved ineffective in that role. Here, with Partey back, the Ghana international should allow Declan Rice to operate in his natural position as a box-to-box No. 8. with Merino rejoining the forward line.
Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have both returned to Arsenal training, meaning they are both available for selection. Timber retakes the starting right-back spot, moving Ben White to the bench along with Calafiori.
Long-term absentees Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz all remain out, although the latter has returned to training and is eyeing a return before the end of the season. Arteta confirmed over the weekend that Havertz “will have a chance to play a few games” before the campaign ends, but this game is too early for a spot on the bench.
Arsenal starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Arsenal subs: Neto (GK), Setford (GK), White, Tierney, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Henry-Francis, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Trossard, Butler-Oyedeji, Sterling.
Injured: Havertz (hamstring, doubt), Gabriel (hamstring), Jesus (ACL), Jorginho (ribs), Tomiyasu (knee).
Suspended: None.
PSG vs. Arsenal live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League semifinal second leg across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
