Arsenal vs Paris St Germain - 29.04.2025 - KO 20:00 GMT

[dazthegooner]

I hope we win, tbh.

No you don't!

[Letters]

I think people said pretty much all of the above before the Real tie.

It's up for grabs, plain and simple, we've shown we can mix it with the best so just need to do it again.

Got no idea how it will turn out but having the first leg at home suited us well last time, building a good lead and then them having to come out and play at their own ground so we could pick them off, let's hope it will also be the case this time

I was pretty sure we'd go out against Real. Those performances and results have led me to believe we can compete at this level and mix it with anyone.
Come on, Arsenal!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

No Partey is very frustrating but one thing we’ve remained is difficult to beat despite various absences this season. I think Merino in midfield and Trossard up front is the likely fix. Special moments decide these kind of games and we’ll need our big guns to step up again.

Feel like it will end in tears for us but that’s just me and my pessimism after so many years of falling short. It’s a 50-50 tie.

Trossard has banged in a few goals recently but TBH I have a strong preference for keeping Merino as our focal point as I think he's done an excellent job as cover and unlike Trossard, he brings people into the game more naturally, which is important for this team, particularly in the CL.

I really hope Arteta comes up with a suitable fix that allows Merino to play upfront, though unfortunately I think he will stick with the Trossard option due to his recent goal blitz and the fact that he didn't experiment when he had a chance in the league.

I really hope we can come out from this leg without losing and have a stronger team available for the 2nd leg, which is where I believe everything will be decided, unlike the Real Madrid game.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Disagree that he can’t defend. I don’t think he’s great at left back (although better at it than Zinchenko or Kiwior), but working in tandem with MLS I think would work well

I get why Mac says he can't defend, as we've mainly seen him defending as a LB playing this midfield pivot thing which probably doesn't suit him as much as it does MLS as he seems slower to get back and is worse at recovery when he loses possession.

However I agree with you that he can defend as he is a CB afterall and an Italian CB starting for the national team, so it's obviously in his DNA.

I still don't know if playing 2 of them together works but I have really enjoyed and been impressed by the cameos we've gotten from Tierney and would probably prefer him supporting in some way if we had to play 2 LBs.

I wish we'd experimented properly in the Ipswich game though when everyone was available.

[Mac76]

Not sure that now is the time to experiment with MLS in MF. For me Trossard (who has been on form recently) in for Merino up front, with Merino dropping into attacking MF and Rice at 6. Least disruption.

If Merino is fit, yes absolutely, I think the question was what we'd do if he wasn't

That said I don't think MLS in MF is that experimental, it's actually his original position, we've just refashioned him as an LB this season

[Mac76]

I get why Mac says he can't defend, as we've mainly seen him defending as a LB playing this midfield pivot thing which probably doesn't suit him as much as it does MLS as he seems slower to get back and is worse at recovery when he loses possession.

However I agree with you that he can defend as he is a CB afterall and an Italian CB starting for the national team, so it's obviously in his DNA.

I still don't know if playing 2 of them together works but I have really enjoyed and been impressed by the cameos we've gotten from Tierney and would probably prefer him supporting in some way if we had to play 2 LBs.

I wish we'd experimented properly in the Ipswich game though when everyone was available.

OK maybe he can do it at CB but that's not what was suggested, he's really poor defending at LB so I'm not in favour, I'd much rather MLS or if not then KT, or maybe both as you suggest, which could happen later in the game I guess

[HCZ_Reborn]

A lot of young midfielders get played at left back because it’s considered safer for them there rather than central midfield where they lack the wherewithal, the technical ability etc to play central midfield. MLS played well against Real Madrid but would be interesting to see if he could handle the premier league there

[Mac76]

Both White and Merino trained today apparently, so available tomorrow

[HCZ_Reborn]

Record against teams that play in French Ligue 1, in the UCL

98/99 - Lens (A) - 1-1 D
98/99 - Lens (H) - 0-1 L
00/01 - Lyon (A) - 1-0 W
00/01 - Lyon (H) - 1-1 D
02/03 - Auxerre (A) - 1-0 W
02/03 - Auxerre (H) - 1-2 L
11/12 - Marseille (A) - 1-0 W
11/12 - Marseille (H) - 0-0 D
12/13 - Montpellier (A) - 2-1 W
12/13 - Montpellier (H) - 2-0 W
13/14 - Marseille (A) - 2-1 W
13/14 - Marseille (H) - 2-0 W
14/15 - Monaco (H) - 1-3 L
14/15 - Monaco (A) - 2-0 W
16/17 - Paris St Germain (A) - 1-1 D
16/17 - Paris St Germain (H) - 2-2 D
23/24 - Lens (A) - 1-2 L
23/24 - Lens (H) - 6-0 W
24/25 - PSG (H) - 2-0 W
24/25 - Monaco (H) - 3-0 W

[Letters]

You do love your irrelevant stats
(as do I)