Arsenal have been given one clear message ahead of their Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain – just go for it.
They’re the inspirational words of Gunners legend Martin Keown. who has dissected the challenges they face in two monumental fixtures.
Arsenal will be heading into the Champions League semi-finals full of confidenceGetty But they will face a PSG side who have been excellent in the knockout stagesGettyOn Tuesday night, Arsenal will welcome PSG to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League matchup.
The visiting side have emerged as the favourites to win this season’s title following a string of dominant performances.
PSG have beaten Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa in their run to the last four, and boast an abundance of attacking talent.
Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue have all shone throughout their European campaign, scoring 15 goals between them in the competition.
Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 during the league phase in October, but Keown has warned that they will face a completely different side.
“Arsenal played them and beat them earlier in the season,” the former defender exclusively told talkSPORT. “Dembele didn’t play, Kvaratskhelia wasn’t even there. They’re a different outfit.
“Vitinha, who sits deep in their midfield, it’s interesting because when he was at Wolves, he was playing as a 10. But now he sits really deep and he finds the passes to pick out those three. There’s a really good mix. They’re strong in the full-back positions.
“Mendes is rapid. Marquinhos might be someone that we get at. It was interesting to see Villa, the way they managed to get bodies in front of that back four or back three that they become with Hakimi pushing forward.
“Arsenal will look to exploit that, if you can get on the ball and you can make it happen. This round, Arsenal really have to go for it. Because if you don’t win this first leg, you just feel it’s going to be too much going into the second leg.”
Keown was asked about his confidence in Arsenal’s ability to deal with the electric PSG attack, and said: “It’s interesting to see what Arsenal do in the midfield, because Thomas Partey is suspended.
Dembele has been a shining light in one of Europe’s best attacksGetty Keown is aware of the task at hand for Arsenal’s defencetalkSPORT He believes the midfield battle could be crucial to the tieGetty“That was a big blow. Declan Rice, man of the match in both games, will have to have another one of those games over the two legs. It will be interesting with [Myles] Lewis-Skelly. He shows no fear.
“But on his flank is [Achraf] Hakimi, who will be running down the line and they’ve got good movement in that area. It’s interesting to see how they’re going to deal with us. We’re going to be getting a lot of possession, we’re used to possession.
“So there’s going to be lots of battles all over the pitch. [Jakub] Kiwior has really surprised me with how well he’s played. He’s dealt with the occasions well in both games against Real Madrid.
“Him and [William] Saliba are now forming a nice little partnership. That’s really key to how well Arsenal will do. [Jurrien] Timber’s got that mobility.
“That’s going to be an incredible match-up with Kvaratskhelia, but I think he has the ability to be able to deal with it and so does Lewis-Skelly.”
He added: “Dembele will play down the middle and he is rapid. He never really did it for Barcelona, but he just seems a different animal here. So he’s a player you’re going to have to get to quickly.
PSG will be hoping to face Barcelona or Inter Milan in the Champions League finalGetty But Keown feels as though there are weak points in their defenceGetty“But you probably need bodies around you. So it’s how you get that protective barrier up to stop him getting the ball into feet. But he will go and roam. He can prop up anywhere in that top line and he has pace over the top.
“We just have to be solid and we have to be aware of that problem. Very often, Arsenal will go and sit on the edge of their box. It’s difficult to get in behind Arsenal when they sit on the edge of their box in numbers.”
Keown then commented on PSG centre-back Marquinhos, and how the team’s defence have shown a sense of vulnerability.
“I’m not saying [Marquinhos is a] weak link. I’m saying numerically, when Hakimi bombs forward, unless one of the midfield players can get back quick enough, in that transition there’s a moment when you can get at them.
“I thought Villa were interesting in how they did that, when they got [John] McGinn in off the line and getting numbers behind their midfield and going after that defence. They looked a little vulnerable. McGinn scores an amazing goal. It was difficult, but they still won that game.
“They lost against Liverpool as well in the home leg. They have lost games here and there, and in the qualifications it was a really poor showing from them. But they’ve been the standout team in Europe since Christmas, so we’re in for a hell of a match.”
Arsenal’s seasons rests upon the two legs against PSG, and Keown has called upon the players to embrace the occasion.
“I think control, belief and to just go for it,” he said in a rallying cry for the Gunners. “You have to love these moments. You wait a long time in your career to play in a semi-final of the Champions League.
“Embrace it. Don’t make it something that’s too big for you. You have to enjoy it. That’s what you’re there for, to enjoy these moments. And then really go after your opponent.”
Arsenal finished third in the league phase to reach the last 16, where they thrashed PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate.
A shock 5-1 win over reigning champions Real Madrid followed to send them into the semi-finals of Europe’s top-tier tournament.
They are eying their first Champions League final since 2006, but standing in their way are a PSG side who are also desperate for glory.
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