
The PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg on May 7, 2025, sets up a thrilling showdown at Parc des Princes in Paris. With PSG holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal must overcome the deficit to keep their Champions League dreams alive. This high-stakes encounter promises tactical intrigue, individual brilliance, and the drama that defines European football’s elite competition.
Key Takeaways
- PSG lead 1-0 from the first leg, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring the decisive goal
- Arsenal need a historic comeback, as only two teams have overturned a first-leg home loss in Champions League semi-finals
- Thomas Partey returns from suspension for Arsenal, while Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz remain injury doubts
- PSG are unbeaten at home in this season’s Champions League campaign
- Both teams to score betting market offers value given PSG’s defensive inconsistency and Arsenal’s attacking threat
- Dembélé has scored 8 goals in the Champions League this season, making him a key threat
PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League Match Details
The PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg takes place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Parc des Princes in Paris. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM BST (9:00 PM local time). The Parisian side holds a crucial 1-0 advantage after Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike at the Emirates in the first leg.
For Arsenal, this PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League clash represents their last chance for silverware this season, having fallen short in the Premier League race. Mikel Arteta’s men must overturn a first-leg deficit away from home – a feat only accomplished twice before in Champions League semi-final history, by Ajax (1996) and Tottenham (2019).
PSG, already crowned Ligue 1 champions, can focus entirely on reaching their second Champions League final, having previously made the showpiece game in 2020 (losing to Bayern Munich). The winner of this tie will face either Inter Milan or Barcelona in the final in Munich on June 7, 2025.
Broadcast options vary by region: UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports with streaming on discovery+, while US viewers can tune in via Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Check local listings for broadcast details in other regions.
Team Form and Key Players for PSG vs Arsenal
Arsenal’s Current Form
Arsenal enter this decisive second leg needing to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at home in the first encounter. Prior to that setback, the Gunners had been on an impressive 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions, including a statement 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals (3-0 at home, 2-1 away).
The first leg exposed some vulnerabilities in Arsenal’s approach, particularly in the opening stages where they struggled with PSG’s intensity and pressing. However, their record of scoring away from home in Europe remains strong, as evidenced by their 2-1 win at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid.
Arsenal’s key performers include:
- Bukayo Saka: Despite being neutralized in the first leg, remains Arsenal’s creative spark with his dribbling and crossing ability
- Declan Rice: The midfielder’s physicality and passing range will be crucial in controlling the game’s tempo
- Gabriel Martinelli: His pace and direct running created problems for PSG in the first leg, making him a key threat on the counter-attack
- Martin Ødegaard: The captain’s creativity and set-piece delivery offer Arsenal a route back into the tie
Arsenal’s chances are boosted by the return of Thomas Partey from suspension, though they face significant injury concerns. Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jorginho missed the first leg. Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, and Ben White are also questionable, placing additional pressure on Arsenal’s squad depth.
PSG’s Current Form
PSG arrive at this home fixture with confidence after their impressive first-leg victory at the Emirates. Luis Enrique’s side has shown remarkable evolution since their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the League Phase back in October 2024. Having already secured the Ligue 1 title in April, they can focus entirely on European glory.
PSG’s Champions League campaign has been particularly noteworthy for their elimination of Premier League sides, knocking out Liverpool in the Round of 16 and Aston Villa in the quarter-finals before taking a lead against Arsenal. Their tactical flexibility under Luis Enrique has become a hallmark of their European performances.
PSG’s key players include:
- Ousmane Dembélé: The winger has been in scintillating form with 25 goals in 2025, including 8 in the Champions League campaign
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The Georgian playmaker, nicknamed “Kvaradona,” provided the assist for Dembélé’s goal in the first leg
- Gianluigi Donnarumma: Made five crucial saves in the first leg, continuing his trend of match-winning performances in this season’s competition
- Nuno Mendes: The left-back effectively neutralized Bukayo Saka in the first leg while offering attacking support
While PSG hold the advantage, their defensive record raises some concerns – they’ve kept just one clean sheet in their last eight matches. This inconsistency at the back offers Arsenal hope that they can find the net in Paris, which could set up a tense finale to the tie.
Tactical Analysis: PSG vs Arsenal
Arsenal’s Approach
Arsenal must strike a delicate balance in this second leg – they need to score at least once to stay in the tie while avoiding conceding a potentially fatal second goal. Mikel Arteta is likely to make tactical adjustments based on the first-leg struggles, where his side was overwhelmed in the opening stages.
Thomas Partey’s return from suspension provides crucial stability in midfield, potentially allowing Declan Rice more freedom to influence play further forward. A key tactical change could involve switching Bukayo Saka to the left flank to target Achraf Hakimi, who is carrying a yellow card from the first leg.
Arsenal’s set-piece prowess offers another route to goal, though they’ll need to be more clinical than in the first leg when they saw a Mikel Merino goal disallowed for offside. Their pressing must also improve, having been outmaneuvered by PSG’s 26-pass move that led to the decisive goal in London.
The key for Arsenal will be starting with greater intensity than they showed in the first leg, where they appeared overwhelmed by PSG’s early pressure. Their away record in Europe this season suggests they can score in Paris, but they must avoid defensive lapses that would leave them needing to score at least three.
PSG’s Strategy
Luis Enrique’s tactical flexibility has been evident throughout PSG’s Champions League campaign. In the first leg, they dominated the opening 25 minutes with intense pressing and fluid movement, culminating in Dembélé’s well-crafted goal. At home, they may adopt a more measured approach, knowing Arsenal must take risks.
PSG’s ability to control possession (as shown in the 26-pass sequence for their goal) combined with their lightning counter-attacking threat makes them particularly dangerous. With Arsenal needing to commit players forward, the pace of Dembélé and creativity of Kvaratskhelia could exploit spaces behind the Gunners’ defensive line.
Donnarumma’s shot-stopping will be crucial if Arsenal create high-quality chances, while Nuno Mendes versus Saka remains a key individual battle. PSG will also be aware of their need for greater efficiency in front of goal, after Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos missed opportunities to extend their lead in the first leg.
The home advantage at Parc des Princes, where PSG are unbeaten in this season’s Champions League, provides an additional psychological edge for the French champions as they look to reach another Champions League final.
PSG-Arsenal Head-to-Head Record
The historical matchup between these European powers has generally favored Arsenal, who remain unbeaten in five competitive matches against PSG before the recent first leg:
- 1993-94 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final: Arsenal drew 1-1 in Paris and won 1-0 at Highbury
- 2016-17 Champions League Group Stage: Drew 1-1 in Paris and 2-2 in London
- 2024-25 Champions League League Phase: Arsenal won 2-0 at home
However, PSG’s 1-0 victory in the first leg of this semi-final has altered the dynamic. That result represents PSG’s first competitive win over Arsenal and gives them a crucial advantage heading into the home leg.
The first leg saw Dembélé score in the fourth minute after a 26-pass move, with Kvaratskhelia providing the assist. Arsenal had chances to equalize, including a disallowed Mikel Merino goal, but Donnarumma’s saves preserved PSG’s clean sheet.
Betting Options for PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League
The betting markets reflect the finely balanced nature of this tie. (Please note odds are subject to variance, please check Tobibet for all official odds).
Match Result Markets
- PSG Win: Around -120 to -150
- Draw: Around +240 to +260
- Arsenal Win: Around +200 to +250
PSG’s home advantage and first-leg lead make them favorites, though Arsenal’s away form in Europe keeps them in the conversation.
To Advance Markets
- PSG to Advance: Around -200 to -250
- Arsenal to Advance: Around +150 to +180
The 1-0 first-leg advantage gives PSG a significant edge, with analysts estimating a 65-35% chance for the Parisians to reach the final.
Goals Markets
- Over 2.5 Goals: Around -120 to -140
- Both Teams to Score: Around -140 to -160
Both teams to score looks particularly attractive given PSG’s defensive inconsistency (one clean sheet in their last eight matches) and Arsenal’s need to attack. Eight of Arsenal’s 12 Champions League games this season have gone over 2.5 goals.
Player Markets
- Ousmane Dembélé to Score: Around +160 to +200 at Tobibet
- Bukayo Saka to Score or Assist: Around +130 to +150 at Tobibet
- Declan Rice 2+ Shots: Around +200 at Tobibet
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Assist: Around +300 at Tobibet
Dembélé’s eight Champions League goals this season and first-leg performance make him a compelling option in the scorer markets. Saka will be looking to bounce back from a quiet first leg, while Rice has consistently registered multiple shots in recent matches.
Special Markets
- Arsenal Second Half Corners Over 3.5: Around +150 at Tobibet
- Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 Goals: Around +250 at Tobibet
Arsenal’s need to attack should generate corners, especially in the second half as they chase the game. The combination of both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals offers value given the attacking quality on both sides.
Recommended Bet
Both Teams to Score: Around -140 to -160 at Tobibet
Arsenal must score to stay in the tie, while PSG’s attacking talent and home advantage suggest they’ll find the net as well. PSG’s defensive record (one clean sheet in eight matches) further supports this selection.
For more betting tips on Champions League fixtures, various specialized platforms provide detailed analysis of European football betting markets.
Remember to gamble responsibly. Only bet what you can afford to lose and seek help if gambling becomes problematic.
PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League Prediction
This semi-final second leg presents a fascinating tactical battle. Arsenal must push forward in search of goals, potentially leaving themselves vulnerable to PSG’s lethal counter-attacks. The Gunners have the quality to score in Paris, but overturning the deficit remains a monumental challenge against a PSG side that has already eliminated two Premier League teams in this season’s competition.
Thomas Partey’s return strengthens Arsenal’s midfield, while a potential tactical switch to move Saka to the left flank could unsettle PSG’s defense. However, the French champions have the experience and quality to manage the situation, with Donnarumma’s shot-stopping ability providing a formidable last line of defense.
Prediction: PSG 1-1 Arsenal (PSG advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Arsenal are likely to show greater attacking intent than in the first leg, but PSG’s home advantage and one-goal cushion should see them through to the final. Expect a tense, tactical contest that could be decided by moments of individual brilliance from the likes of Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia, Saka, or Martinelli.
For the latest sports betting insights and UEFA Champions League analysis, numerous resources offer in-depth tactical breakdowns and betting recommendations.
FAQ: PSG vs Arsenal
When is the PSG vs Arsenal Champions League match?
The match takes place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 8:00 PM BST (9:00 PM local time) at Parc des Princes in Paris.
Where can I watch PSG vs Arsenal?
In the UK, the match will be broadcast on TNT Sports with streaming on discovery+. In the US, viewers can watch on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Check your local listings for broadcast details in other regions.
What was the first leg result?
PSG won the first leg 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring in the fourth minute after a 26-pass move.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For PSG, watch Ousmane Dembélé (8 Champions League goals), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Gianluigi Donnarumma. For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Martinelli are the danger men.
Are there any key injuries or suspensions for either team?
Arsenal welcome back Thomas Partey from suspension but have concerns over several players including Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, and Ben White are also questionable.
What happens if Arsenal win 1-0?
If Arsenal win 1-0, the tie would be level at 1-1 on aggregate, leading to extra time and potentially penalties, as the away goals rule is no longer in effect in UEFA competitions.
What are the best betting options for this match?
Both teams to score (-140 to -160) offers good value given PSG’s defensive inconsistency and Arsenal’s need to attack. For player markets, consider Dembélé to score (+160 to +200) or Saka to score or assist (+130 to +150). (Please note odds are subject to variance, please check Tobibet for all official odds).
How many teams have overturned a first-leg home loss in Champions League semi-finals?
Only two teams have achieved this feat: Ajax in 1996 and Tottenham in 2019 (under Mauricio Pochettino, who later managed PSG). Notably, both teams lost the final after their comeback. <!– Meta Description –> <meta name=”description” content=”UEFA Champions League semi-final preview: PSG vs Arsenal at Parc des Princes, with team news, tactical analysis, and betting tips on Tobibet.” />