Arsenal hosts Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal tie at Emirates Stadium.
This marks Arsenal's return to this stage of the competition for the first time since 2009. The Gunners advanced by defeating holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Paris Saint-Germain reaches their fourth semifinal since the 2019/20 season. The French club has not been crowned European champions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made two changes to his team for the match. Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino return to the starting lineup after missing the recent domestic draw. Thomas Partey is unavailable due to suspension. Ben White was deemed fit enough for a spot on the bench. Thomas Partey is suspended for the first leg. Leandro Trossard is expected to lead the line in attack.
PSG manager Luis Enrique named the same starting eleven that recently lost a Ligue 1 match. His team features a front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, and Ousmanne Dembele, who missed the previous encounter between the sides in October.
These clubs met earlier this season in the league phase, with Arsenal securing a 2-0 victory. However, the PSG side is viewed as greatly improved since that match.
The referee for the match is Slavko Vincic of Slovenia.
The official Arsenal line-up lists Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, and Trossard. Substitutes include Neto, Setford, White, Tierney, Zinchenko, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, and Sterling.
The official Paris Saint-Germain lineup features Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves, Doue, Kvaratskhelia, and Dembele. Their bench includes Safonov, Tenas, Hernandez, Beraldo, Kimpembe, Mayulu, Zaire-Emery, Lee, Barcola, Mbaye, and Ramos.
The tie is anticipated to be a close contest between two teams focused on control. A drawn result in north London would likely be viewed favorably by PSG.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard commented on the team's readiness for the challenge.
"We can step up for the big matches," Odegaard quote said.
