All new UCL 24/25: Page 49 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

All new UCL 24/25

USArsenal

To be fair, There is only PSG, Inter and Barca left. Any of those would be considered glamour ties. Inter are not exactly lightweights.

Though, to be honest, I think we would struggle a lot with that Inter team. (as has already been shown)

daredevil

I don't know whether our early season win is a positive or a negative.

It would have been better if PSG were arriving without having any first hand knowledge of our game, and with an eye on the final given our lack of tournament pedigree (granted, they have the same).

Instead, they will be arriving knowing full well how hard we are and maybe better prepared for it. Conversely, it may give them more anxiety knowing the challenge that awaits them.

I don't think Enrique has any other gears and they will be looking to break with pace and use their midfield to dominate possession. We were killing them on set pieces the last time we played, so that might be our trump card again.

I'm less concerned about Partey missing the home game then if it were away where we'd miss him more. Trossard is the likely replacement with Merino dropping back into midfield. Regardless, we'd need a healthy win to take to Paris, given that it will be close encounter away from home.

samthegooner

I am definitely optimistic about our matchup with PSG. Much like Madrid, I feel like our team is just built to face these high octane teams built around a transition game with quick wingers since we are uniquely built with Timber and MLS able to match them 1v1, while the CB's are great cover against quick, technical players. It's the teams that are comfortable sitting back in a low block and meeting us physically that really trouble us (Newcastle, Fulham, Inter, for example). Watching PSG this year, they are breathtaking when at full stretch with Dembele, Kvara, Barcola, Doue, Mendes and Hakimi breaking at full speed down the field and combining quickly. I just don't see the game coming down to many of those moments and have confidence in our defenders and midfield to deal with a few transition moments like they did against Madrid.

My concerns come in with the loss of Havertz. I remember him being a massive presence in the first match against PSG - matching their CB's physically while also stretching them across the field with his intelligent runs. Merino can definitely replicate the first aspect but we will need to figure out how to replace the movement up top without Kai. Martinelli has been showing glimpses of it with some of his central runs and I also loved Saka's movement for the first goal. Hopefully they can replace what Kai brought in terms of attacking runs. If we can get them free, I'm very confident the rest of the team can physically dominate this PSG team.

DKGooner

samthegooner

Our tie against Real was impressive and think we have enough to get past PSG, the big doubt I have is on our attacking depth. So far, we have not been behind in any of the knock out matches and while our starting XI has been good enough to give us the lead, we haven't seen the team react to being behind. Saka may still not be fit enough to play a full 90m and the only attacking sub used is Trossard. Nwaneri wasn't used and with Sterling (seemingly out of favour) on the bench as attackers alongside inexperienced youth prospects, I worry that our ability to change the game if we need to chase the game or get an injury to another of our front line. With second leg of tie being played away again, it will be an achievement to progress to the final.

Sicario2

Def good thing we are not playing Villa

Mirth

Sicario2 also concerning that the remaining 3 semi finalists are ahead

Sicario2

Inter lose 1-0 to Bologna away in the 94th minute leaving them with equal points (71) with Napoli after 33 games played.

This bodes well for us if we beat PSG and manage to play Inter. The more distractions (they play city rivals Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia this Wednesday) the better.

By the same token hopefully Real can push Barca to the very last week of the season for La Liga, they play each other soon in El Clasico and Lewandovski is out for the next 3 weeks.

Sicario2

Real score a last min beauty from Valvelde meaning there are just 4 points between Barca and them now.

Looks like Nico Williams is injured and didn’t play this game, hopefully he is back for the Utd games.

JazzG

Lewandowski is out for Barca, supposedly will miss both games against Inter. That is a massive loss for Barca in the crunch part of the season.

banduan

I really don't want Inter in the final. It would be an all-out haram final.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

banduan at least just two games ago against them we pummelled them 5-1.

Sicario2

IBL

No, just no

Sicario2

Inter lose 3-0 to Milan in the Copa Italia semi final second leg. Looked dead apparently.

Sicario2

PSG playing full 11 a few days before us - surprising

Sicario2

PSG 15 mins away from losing in the league for the first time this season - playing their strongest team possible

Claudius

Sicario2 so like us versus Palace. Nobody wants to pull a muscle or get injured.

Sicario2

Claudius big difference is PSG wanted to remain undefeated in the league hence Enrique played his strongest team. No team in France has ever done this so opportunity lost. We also get couple of days rest on them.

Claudius

Sicario2 flip side is it makes their match against Strasbourg completely irrelevant now. While our game against Bournemouth will matter somewhat because we’ve been dropping points from winning positions.

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