Arsenal Football Club are preparing for what promises to be an exciting second leg in Champions League quarter-finals. Keita’s compatriots are not out of the competition yet, battling PSG, having gone down narrowly at home in the first leg. For Mikel Arteta, the club’s new manager, who is drawing up his battle plan, Sheikh Mohamed welcomes back some big names to training, most notably Ricardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey. The Gunners are trailing 1-0 on aggregate and will have to go above and beyond in the return leg to do so.
The exhibition will be held at the Parc des Princes in Paris, home of Paris Saint Germain. Arsenal is looking to complete one of the greatest comebacks ever! Arteta out underperformance Arteta is clearly under pressure to deliver results. Fans are dubbing this match one of the greatest of his career. As opposed to the first leg, where Arsenal fought through a difficult first half. They eventually settled into their rhythm and even had a goal ruled out when Merino nodded home Declan Rice’s free-kick on 49 minutes. This experience will surely shape Arteta’s tactical approach for the final.
One silver lining for Arteta Going into the final international break Arsenal returned with welcome reinforcements expected back in training. The return of Calafiori and Odegaard indeed strengthens Arsenal’s depth in squad, but it’s Partey’s return in midfield that should be the most pleasing sight. His style, experience, and leadership are the reasons why he is considered a linch pin piece who can help raise the team’s floor.
“If you want to win the Champions League final, you have to do something special. We’re going to have to do something special in Paris to be there.” – Mikel Arteta
The optimism level amongst the Arsenal fanbase is all over the place. Alex, a dangerous optimist, thinks Arsenal can turn around the one-goal deficit. He doesn’t say stop believing after a first-half blitz, either—if the team scores first, “anything can happen.” Conversely, Lawrence – and Colin from London – are lacking in positive energy. So much so, they forecast Arsenal to suffer all these horrible indignities along the way, getting “thumped” in fact by PSG.
Many Arsenal fans and pundits have been scratching their heads at Arsenal’s inconsistent performances this season. Alex Howell emphasized that Thomas Partey’s impact on the team has been substantial, suggesting he could be integral to turning the tide in their favor.
Julien Laurens, football analyst for ESPN, had his two cents on the matter. To go any further in this tournament, he stressed, Arsenal must show a much more complete performance.
“We have a lot of chances to be in that final. As I repeat myself, you have to do something special in the competition to have the right to be in the final. And the time to do it is going to be in Paris.” – Mikel Arteta
Mikel Merino, expressing confidence ahead of the match, declared, “With all due respect, I think we are going to win the second leg.” His comments are a clear indication that there is hope on the team and fanbase that success can be achieved again.
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