Julius OkorieAre the Gunners about to repeat their painful performance in the 2008/2009 UEFA Champions League this year? That is the question in the minds of many after the Mikel Arteta led side failed to re-enact their magic against Real Madrid in Tuesday’s clash with PSG.
The 3-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in the first leg, quarterfinals clash triggered off confidence in many quarters that Arsenal will this time go past the semi-finals. Recall that the Gunners made it to the semis for the first time in the 2008/2009 edition but were edged out 4-1 over two legs by Manchester United who then went on to lose 2-0 in the final to Barcelona with Eto and Messi delivering the killer blows.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Emirates frenzy in the build-up to the club’s first Champions League semi-final for 16 years and the fans no doubt full of hopes until Ousmane Dembele’s fourth-minute strike cut right through all of that.
Arsenal’s fans recovered after that brief stunned silence but left the stadium wanting more. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli had their chances, and there was that save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Arsenal didn’t do enough in the end.
Arteta’s reign at Arsenal, however impressive, is at risk of becoming one characterised by near misses. Premier League runners-up three years running and now their Champions League run that promised so much is at risk of going out with a whimper
Hope Not Lost Says Arteta:
Arteta and David Raya were quick to remind us of that Arsenal performance in the Bernabeu after the game as evidence this team is more than capable of pulling off a big performance away in Europe implying that the dream of turning the table in Paris is being kept alive.
PSG made 26 passes in the lead-up to Dembele’s goal four minutes in. It felt as if Arsenal hadn’t even touched the ball from kick-off, so mesmeric were the French champions with their passing.
READ ALSO:Champions League S/Final First Leg: Can Arsenal Repeat Madrid Trick Against PSG Tonight?
Arsenal, were chasing shadows for the first 20 minutes as PSG came flying out of the traps. Everything was moving too quickly for the hosts to keep up and the blue shirts always seemed to outnumber the red. So if PSG were so much at home at the Emirates with showcasing such dominant display, is it in Paris that they will slow down?
Considering the dominance PSG had over Villa at home compared to the return leg, it doesn’t paint an encouraging picture for Arsenal next week in Paris.
One reason for optimism in the second leg for Arsenal will be the return of Thomas Partey.
The holding midfielder was suspended for the defeat at the Emirates after a needless yellow card in the dying stages at the Bernabeu, and his absence was felt immediately against PSG.
For the goal, Dembele drove straight through the area of the pitch Partey so frequently occupies, and Arsenal were punished. It all felt too easy.
Arsenal are a better team with Partey in the side. On top of everything he brings individually, Partey’s presence allows Declan Rice to be unleashed in midfield.
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal can ‘do something special’ in the return leg. Perhaps it is safe believe him till the D-day to see what magic he and his boys will display in paris.
Away from the Arsenal against PSG clash, attention shifts tonight to Barcelona agaisnt Inter Milan at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Barcelona won their last Champions League tie, beating Borussia Dortmund 5-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. They earned a four-goal lead in the tie after the first leg at home, large enough to withstand a 3-1 defeat in the return match at home. They have three consecutive wins in all competitions.
Inter won their last Champions League tie, beating Bayern München 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. After earning a 2-1 victory in the first leg, they played out a 2-2 draw in the return match at home. Lautaro Martínez and Benjamin Pavard scored in the second-leg draw. Since then, they are winless in their last four games in all competitions.
When the two sides last met in action, they played out a 3-3 draw in a Champions League group stage match at Spotify Camp Nou in October 2022. Robert Lewandowski led Barça with goals in the 82nd and 92nd minute. Nicolò Barella, Lautaro Martínez, and Robin Gosens were on target for the Nerazzurri.
Both sides are on Champions League scoring streaks, as the hosts have been on the scoresheet in each competition game this season while the visitors have found the target in six in a row.
Hosts Barcelona are unbeaten in home matches this Champions League season with five wins and one draw from their six contests on home soil. Barça have a 14-match home unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Inter boast a fine away record in the competition this season with four wins, one draw, and just one loss in matches on the road. Will that fine run continue to night or will Barca run riot in front of their fans?
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
