“There are moments within the Champions League when someone has to ship a magic second – and he delivered that once more,” Mikel Arteta mentioned after beat to achieve their first main European closing in 20 years.
You could be forgiven for pondering the Arsenal supervisor was referring to , whose all-important aim on Tuesday.
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However that “magic second” on a well-known evening in north London got here from centre-back Gabriel as Atletico had been probing for a response to Saka’s opener.
‘s poor defensive header had gifted an opportunity to degree as he surged previous goalkeeper with the aim at his mercy.
However an alert Gabriel put in a last-ditch effort, making use of simply sufficient strain to distract Simeone as he acquired his shot away and save Saliba’s blushes.
Arsenal’s defensive resoluteness been typically criticised, with them being labelled as boring and over-pragmatic, but it surely has been basic all through their unbeaten run to the ultimate.
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Nevertheless, their largest check but will come on 30 Might in Budapest in opposition to , who reached the ultimate over on Wednesday.
Champions League MOTD analyst , mentioned: “I used to be so impressed with PSG. Their work-rate was unimaginable.
“As a lot as we may be led by the statistics in speaking about how PSG have gotten an unimaginable assault, you do not get this far on this competitors with out having one thing in defence as nicely.
“Whereas we are able to see how particular their assault is, they’ve labored very laborious to get right here as a unit and I feel because the season has progressed, they’ve higher and higher.”
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‘Arsenal definitely have an opportunity in opposition to PSG’
Somebody who is aware of all about profitable the Champions League is Clarence Seedorf.
The one participant to carry the trophy with three completely different golf equipment, the previous midfielder believes Arsenal’s defence might be the distinction in opposition to free-scoring PSG.
“Now we have seen a workforce like Arsenal making the distinction this 12 months with so many clear sheets and coming all the best way,” Seedorf lately instructed Amazon Prime.
“If I needed to level out one workforce that may be able to bringing it residence due to that capability, it’s really Arsenal. Inform me one sport you possibly can win and not using a correct defence. I do not assume it exists.”
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Tuesday’s 1-0 win was Arsenal’s ninth clear sheet in 14 matches in Europe – they’ve solely conceded two objectives in six knockout video games – and their thirtieth general this season.
They’ve allowed their opponents an anticipated objectives (xG) of simply 0.84 per sport, and 7 of the previous 13 Champions League winners conceded fewer than 1.0 xG per sport on common throughout their profitable campaigns. As compared, PSG’s common xGA – anticipated objectives in opposition to – in Europe this season is 1.38.
Arsenal have had a neater path to the ultimate, beating , Sporting and Atletico, whereas PSG have overcome , , and Bayern to achieve the showpiece.
However you possibly can solely beat groups in entrance of you – and Arsenal did so impressively to prime the 32-club league section with eight wins from as many matches, together with assertion victories over Bayern, Atletico and final season’s finalists .
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The 14-game unbeaten run they’re on is their longest within the competitors, overtaking a 13-match streak between March 2005 and April 2006, when beneath Arsene Wenger they reached the ultimate solely to lose to .
However it’s the newfound defensive maturity that separates the present crop from Arsenal groups of the previous.
Onuoha mentioned: “There are positively causes for Arsenal to be assured in regards to the closing, 100%.
“They know the fashion PSG have and that in case you enable them to overwhelm you, you possibly can actually wrestle. However Arsenal could have a plan. Clearly they’ve the home season to determine as nicely, however they may positively have a plan for the Champions League closing and they’re going to know they will trigger PSG issues in addition to hold them out.”
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“Arsenal have an opportunity with out query – with that defence they’ve and the goalkeeper, they’re sensible,” former midfielder Owen Hargreaves instructed TNT Sports activities.
Former Liverpool midfielder added: “I do know greater than anybody else that an underdog can win this closing – after we gained with Liverpool in opposition to it was a mismatch.
“Arsenal will play in opposition to a high-quality workforce, in opposition to an elite supervisor. Each participant must be on the highest of their sport. They’ve to make use of their physicality, measurement and take PSG the place they do not need go – however they definitely have an opportunity.”
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have solely conceded six objectives within the Champions League this season, scoring 29 [Getty Images]
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‘PSG can be extra attacking but it surely’s a special Arsenal now’
There isn’t any denying it’s going to take a monumental Arsenal effort in opposition to PSG if they’re to carry the Champions League trophy for the primary time.
Reigning champions PSG have netted 44 objectives in simply 16 matches in Europe – with six of them coming within the semi-final in opposition to Bayern, who themselves scored 43.
Solely Barcelona, who scored 45 occasions in 16 matches in 1999-00, have extra in a single season.
One solely has to take a look at to understand how shortly Luis Enrique’s PSG aspect can blow groups away. Inter Milan conceded simply as soon as of their eight league-phase matches, however shipped 5 in one of the crucial one-sided European finals.
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The Gunners defeated PSG 2-0 at Emirates Stadium within the league section of final season’s competitors, however the French aspect prevailed within the semi-finals, working out 3-1 combination winners on their option to clinching their maiden title.
Arsenal will now hope to avenge that heartbreak in excellent style in Hungary at Puskas Enviornment.
“The ultimate can be fascinating,” Hargreaves mentioned. “PSG can be extra attacking than they had been in opposition to Bayern, however this can be a completely different Arsenal now.
“They went by means of slightly blip the previous couple of weeks. They consider now. They’ve an opportunity. They only should consider.”
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“It is attention-grabbing the best way folks have considered Arsenal in latest weeks – folks assume the wheels had been coming off,” former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton instructed BBC Radio 5 Dwell.
“However they’re a really succesful workforce. Arsenal have an actual likelihood – it may be 50/50 sport. Arsenal are succesful on their day.”
Arteta’s aspect will not be shy in entrance of aim, both. They’ve 67 objectives in 35 Premier League matches – with solely bettering their file within the English prime flight with 69 in 34 video games.
In fact, having the perfect defence isn’t a assure of success within the Champions League.
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In line with Opta, solely Bayern Munich – in 2019-20 with a per-game xGA of 0.62 – and Manchester Metropolis – in 2022-23 with a per-game xGA of 0.81 – have gained the competitors whereas boasting the season’s finest xGA file since 2013-14.
However what it presents Arsenal and Arteta is a strong platform to construct on, in opposition to what can be a formidable problem within the Hungarian capital.
‘Arsenal can win simply by defending’ – your views
Nicholas, Belfast: Am I the one Arsenal fan who thinks we are able to beat PSG? Watching the sport in my retro jersey, reserving flights to Budapest.
Jaime, Birmingham: Who says a goalfest is best then good defending? I feel Arsenal can win the Champions League simply by defending.
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Joseph, Southampton: Arsenal have a greater defensive file than PSG. Arsenal can defend, the issue is scoring objectives.
Ki, London: Arsenal aren’t profitable. From the beginning, I mentioned PSG to win. They certainly are favourites.
Tim, Chesham: Arsenal can solely beat what’s in entrance of them however I am unable to consider a neater sequence of knockout matches to achieve the ultimate.
Josh, France: Folks as at all times are very fast to discredit Arsenal. They’re within the closing for a cause, semis final 12 months, quarters the 12 months earlier than – this is not some fluke.
Watch highlights of each Champions League sport from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site and app.
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There can even be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.