Familiar foes with unfinished business clash under the floodlights at the Emirates as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain meet in the first leg of a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final. Both clubs, desperate to end years of European heartbreak, are now just two matches away from a historic final appearance in Berlin.
Arsenal – One Shot at Glory
Arsenal dismantled Real Madrid in the quarter-finals with a staggering 5-1 aggregate win, showcasing fluid football, mental steel and clinical finishing.
Mikel Arteta’s men have defied expectations despite multiple injuries and now stand on the brink of a first final appearance since 2006.
Their unbeaten Champions League run this season has spanned eight games, and they are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions.
Yet, the domestic season has crumbled around them. Eliminated from both domestic cups and now trailing Liverpool in the Premier League title race, the Champions League is Arsenal’s final shot at ending a painful four-year wait for major silverware. Failure to win could leave Arteta’s project trophyless once again.
Paris Saint-Germain – Chasing the Holy Grail
PSG’s European credentials are gaining weight after eliminating Liverpool and Aston Villa in back-to-back knockout rounds.
With domestic dominance assured, the Ligue 1 crown already secured and a Coupe de France final to come, Luis Enrique’s men are chasing the club’s first-ever Champions League title and an unprecedented treble.
Though a shock league defeat to Nice last Friday exposed some vulnerabilities, PSG’s away form remains elite.
They have scored in 18 straight away matches and carry serious firepower. Yet, Arsenal remain a thorn in their side; PSG have never beaten the Gunners in five previous European meetings.
Match Info
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Stage: Semi-Final (First Leg)
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2025
Kick-off: 8:00pm (local time)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
