Five areas where Arsenal can improve against PSG in semi-final second leg | OneFootball

Arsenal lost 1-0 to Paris St. Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, but all hope is not lost as they prepare for the second leg in Paris.

Ousmane Dembele’s goal just four minutes in was the difference between the two sides in north London.

However, Arsenal were still able to create chances, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into action.

But what do Arsenal need to change to in Paris? It will take “something special” as boss Mikel Arteta has outlined, just like these bonuses that gamblers like.

Reintroduction of Thomas Partey

The Ghanaian midfielder was suspended for the first leg in north London, but his presence in Paris will be instrumental in Arsenal’s attempt to turn the tie around.

Only William Saliba had more touches and successful passes at the Bernabeu when Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the quarter-finalthan Partey, and his impact in midfield was a key part of Arsenal’s control in the game.

The midfielder’s absence was also felt more harshly for the Gunners as it meant that Mikel Merino had to drop into midfield. When the Spaniard did get into the box he caused problems, even scoring a disallowed header, so it is fair to say that Arsenal missed him leading the line at the Emirates and moving him further up the pitch makes sense.

Push back PSG’s attacking players

Doue, Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembele caused problems for the Gunners all evening long.Dembele’s goal came from an excellent Kvaratskhelia pass from the left-hand side and PSG’s greatest strength is the free movement of their forwards, who do not always stick to their position.

If Arsenal are going to turn around the tie they will need to stop the ball getting to the French side’s wide men. They did so too easily at the Emirates.

Exploiting Achraf Hakimi

The Moroccan is one of the world’s best attacking full-backs but his marauding forward runs often leave space in behind for opposition teams to attack.

In fact, Arsenal’s two biggest chances came down his side. The first came from a Myles Lewis-Skelly through ball inside the defender which found Martinelli, who could not convert the one-on-one. The second was a Trossard strike from the left-hand side of the area which Donnarumma did well to keep out.

If Arsenal can get in behind on the left side of the pitch, they may be able to cause problems for the Parisians.

Track PSG’s runners from midfield

A key facet of PSG’s attack was Joao Neves’ runs from deep. The Portuguese midfielder’s runs caused Saliba and Jacob Kiwior issues.

Neves’ movement in behind the Arsenal defence allowed Dembele to drop deep and receive the ball in space, posing a dilemma for the central defenders. If the Gunners can find a way to limit Neves in attack, it may have a knock-on effect for their whole team.

Push Declan Rice further forward

Arsenal had less possession than PSG on the night and they are likely to hold even less of the ball in France, so their best chance of scoring will be on the break.

Rice’s driving runs from defence to attack, such as the move to create Partey’s goal against Brentford, could be key for Arsenal getting back into the tie. He was used in a deeper role at the Emirates because of Partey’s absence.