PSG - Arsenal Prediction (2am, May 8): Big challenge for the "Gunners"

Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal in the first leg at the Emirates, forcing Arsenal to fight back. The Gunners needed to do what only two teams had done before to reach the final. The first leg between Arsenal and PSG was reminiscent of the quarter-final against Real Madrid; except this time, the Premier League powerhouse failed to show their full potential on the pitch.

Nhận định PSG - Arsenal (2h, 8/5): Thử thách lớn cho Pháo thủ - 1 — PSG beat Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-final at the Emirates (Photo: Getty).

Luis Enrique's PSG took the lead after just four minutes through Dembele, who equalled Kylian Mbappe's record for most goals scored by a PSG player in the Champions League in a single season. PSG left the pitch with a 1-0 lead, making them favourites to reach the final in Munich against Inter Milan.

The home side have only ever been eliminated from the European knockout stages once after winning the first leg away from home, although that loss was to Man Utd in 2018-19.

Enrique oversaw a 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg at the weekend. PSG's recent form has been unimpressive, with three defeats and just two wins in their last six games. However, Enrique fielded a reserve side at the weekend, which is not to be expected against Arsenal.

Arsenal suffered the same fate when they left most of their key players on the field in the match against Bournemouth, who took advantage of the Gunners' mistakes to win the match.

Nhận định PSG - Arsenal (2h, 8/5): Thử thách lớn cho Pháo thủ - 2 — Arsenal lost to Bournemouth despite playing with a strong squad (Photo: Getty).

Striker Declan Rice's run and finish gave Arsenal the lead, but for the 10th time this season - a new unwanted club record - they dropped points from a leading position as Dean Huijsen's header and Evanilson's finish turned things around for Bournemouth.

Only two teams have ever progressed further in the Champions League semi-finals after losing the first leg at home: Ajax vs Panathinaikos in 1996 and Tottenham Hotspur vs Ajax in 2019. However, it is not all doom and gloom for Arsenal, who head to Paris on a seven-match unbeaten run away from home in all competitions.

A repeat of their 2-1 win at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid would give Arsenal a chance of extra-time salvation, but with PSG scoring 14 goals in their last three home Champions League wins, Arsenal fans have reason to be concerned.

Squad information

PSG face a number of fitness concerns ahead of their crucial clash with Arsenal. One of the concerns is the fitness of Ousmane Dembele. Despite suffering a hamstring strain in the first leg, Dembele has avoided serious injury and is now confirmed fit to face Arsenal.

Nhận định PSG - Arsenal (2h, 8/5): Thử thách lớn cho Pháo thủ - 3 — Dembele is ready to return to competition (Photo: Getty).

Goncalo Ramos is available to replace him if needed, while South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in is also a doubt after picking up an injury against Strasbourg. However, Lee Kang-in is not expected to start.

Instead, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz will be joined by Joao Neves – the only player to retain his place against Strasbourg – in midfield, while Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will return to showcase their wing talents.

For Arsenal, Thomas Partey will return after missing the first leg through suspension. The Ghana international will play in his usual holding midfield position. Partey will be joined by Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard, who suffered a minor injury at the weekend but could be fit for tomorrow morning.

Jurrien Timber has also returned to training after sitting out the defeat to Bournemouth and is fit to play. However, Arsenal are still without a number of key players, including Jorginho (lungs), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee). Riccardo Calafiori has a small chance of recovering from a knee injury.