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Next week, ARSENAL will face Paris Saint-Germain in one of their most crucial matches in recent memory.
The Gunners are set to welcome PSG at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.
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If they manage to win the two-legged tie, it will be Arsenal’s first appearance in the final of Europe’s premier competition in 19 years.
This is certainly within reach, given the team’s impressive performance against Real Madrid earlier this month.
However, PSG will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge.
In the latest edition of SunSport’s Tactics Exposed, our analyst Dean Scoggins explores strategies for Arsenal to outmaneuver the Ligue 1 champions.
WILL PSG UTILIZE A 4-3-3 FORMATION?
Aston Villa showcased in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals that PSG is not invincible.
On paper, PSG is expected to adopt a 4-3-3 formation, with three midfielders organized in a triangle, including Vitinha at the base.
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However, they tend not to maintain that formation throughout the match.
PSG, under Luis Enrique, often switch to a 3-2-5 formation, indicating that their 4-3-3 lineup can evolve to involve wingers pushing forward, a striker advancing, midfielders joining the attack, and a full-back inverting to form the 3-2-5 structure.
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Both Manchester City and Arsenal frequently utilize this strategy in the Premier League.
Hakimi’s tactical adaptability in this setup is crucial, as anyone playing on the right — possibly Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, or Ousmane Dembele — may drift inside.
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Hakimi would then push forward while the midfielder remains central.
They exhibit versatility while maintaining a structured formation.
PSG strive to implement an attacking style.
They position their wingers near the sidelines, aiming to keep their width throughout the match.
PSG’s bold approach involves switching the play and actively seeking to utilize their wingers with runs behind the defense.
For Arsenal, opportunities for counter-attacks will present themselves in the wide and advanced areas of the pitch.
PSG maintains possession confidently, even under pressure, in an effort to create space for their forwards.
If Myles Lewis-Skelly plays as left-back for Arsenal, he’s unlikely to push into midfield as he normally does, as PSG would capitalize on the space left vacant on the wings.
Mikel Arteta might consider fielding Riccardo Calafiori or Jurrien Timber on the left, with Ben White on the right, as they are more traditional full-backs.
WILL RICE BE THE HOLDING MIDFIELDER?
Thomas Partey will be sidelined for the Gunners during the first leg due to a one-match suspension.
This predicament presents Arteta with several difficulties — not only in terms of team selection.
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The Arsenal manager might choose to pair Mikel Merino with Declan Rice in midfield.
Alternatively, Rice could advance to support Martin Odegaard, raising the question of who would assume the holding role.
This responsibility could fall to White, Timber, or possibly Calafiori.
However, Arteta generally leans towards caution, making it less likely that he would reposition a player in an unfamiliar role.
Therefore, it’s likely that Merino will remain in midfield with Leandro Trossard taking on the No9 position.
How will PSG react?
Enrique tends to favor a diamond shape, which is one reason he opts for the 3-2-5 system.
This formation facilitates attacking overloads.
The goal is to create numerical advantages that pull opposing players, thus opening space for their attack.
Consequently, Rice will have the challenging task of covering the field to prevent Arsenal’s full-backs from being easily drawn in.
ARE PSG AHEAD IN ATTACKING OPTIONS?
PSG’s attacking play is genuinely thrilling.
They possess remarkable versatility across all positions, with combinations of Bradley Barcola, Kvaratskhelia, Doue, and Dembele able to operate on the left — and these players frequently interchange roles during matches, presenting significant challenges for defenders.
Moreover, the positional shifts across the wide and central areas will be crucial.
It’s not just the forwards posing a threat; Hakimi significantly contributes as well.
This combination is why PSG is deemed one of the most difficult teams to defend against in Europe currently.
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