“I have always been an Arsenal fan in Champions League but for what Arteta has done, if he refused to change, they’ll beg for final whistle against PSG”: Man City coach Pep Guardiola angered by Mikel Arteta Arteta’s punishable mistake ahead of PSG clash
The Premier League may appear a foregone conclusion for Arsenal with Liverpool closing in on the top-flight crown – which they can secure with just a draw against the Gunners’ north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
But the excitement among supporters will be with the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain coming up.
Although Mikel Arteta’s side will go into the clash on the back of their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, where they twice relinquished a lead, PSG’s unbeaten record came crashing down at home to OGC Nice, as they slumped to a 3-1 home defeat.
The chance at elite European silverware offers a glimmer of hope for Arsenal after another title challenge has been left in tatters.
And Arsenal will want to avenge their defeat against Barcelona in the showpiece, 19 years ago.
It’s a big few weeks in the season for Arsenal and Arteta’s tenure at the Emirates Stadium. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip.
Luis Enrique risk backfires ahead of Arsenal showdown
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique showed that he is not taking Arsenal lightly as he opted to field a full-strength team despite having the French league title already wrapped up.
But his efforts to send a warning to the Gunners backfired as a brace from former Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Sanson fired Nice into fourth.
The defeat is redundant in the grand scheme of things but it’s a blow for PSG after tasting another setback as they did against Liverpool in the first-leg and Aston Villa in the second.
football.london says: Momentum is a funny thing in football. Arsenal will believe they have a chance against PSG and even more so with home advantage in the first leg. More tellingly, Nicolas Jover will be rubbing his hands together with PSG conceding 38 per cent of goals from set-pieces this season. Arsenal will have been watching intently on Friday and they will be looking to keep the spark of the season alive.
Arsenal summer transfer options emerge as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres chances rated
David Ornstein has claimed that Alexander Isak and Victor Osimhen aren’t likely to be realistic targets for the summer splurge in north London.
The reporter has revealed that the Gunners will look to strengthen their attacking areas but Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are the calibre of forward that is being targeted from the Arsenal recruitment chiefs.
Ornstein said: “Arsenal will also look to strengthen in attack, players such as Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, Benjamin Sesko on the radar.
“Don’t think Alexander Isak is going to be realistic. Nor the likes of Victor Osimhen and any other names you hear swirling around.”
football.london says: While it is a blow for Arsenal that there isn’t much feasibility in the links for Alexander Isak, there is a profile growing for the calibre of striker and attacker that they’re looking for this summer.
Their attacking woes have been clear to see this season and have been one of their pitfalls in their title race. Should Arteta be allowed the room to manoeuvre to rectify the issue, it could be the catalyst for ending their Premier League wait.
