PSG vs Arsenal - Champions League: Live score, team news and updates as Gunners pull one back but final hopes hang by a thread in closing stages

Yep, this is over.

Mikel Merino tries to nod a Ben White cross in at the far post, but he flicks his header wide.

That should be that, and the party is already starting in Paris.

Arsenal have five minutes to save their season by scoring two goals.

Yep, I don't think it's going to happen, do you?

Erm... this is a weird change.

PSG have a two-goal cushion, so you would expect any changes to be defensive at this point.

Well, that's not how Luis Enrique works; he brings on a striker for a full-back for these final minutes.

Yes, you read that right.

Goncalo Ramos is on to replace Nuno Mendes here, I can't wrap my head around it.

Ohhhh, it's time for handbags.

Things get a little tasty between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Riccardo Calafiori - got to love a bit of needle.

Both go into the book for their involvement, before moments later, Bukayo Saka is carded, too.

Yellow's being shown everywhere.

Arsenal are running out of time now.

They just gave themselves too much to do. I wouldn't be surprised if they conceded again because of how many bodies they are throwing forward.

I mean, it would take a miracle for them to get through from here; I just can't see it.

Achraf Hakimi knows how to hit a ball, jeez.

He absolutely wallops a free-kick low toward the corner from miles out, it's some hit.

But David Raya does well to scramble across and beat it away from danger.

PSG want another for comfort, it seems.

Ohhhh, what a miss!!!

I can't believe it, Bukayo Saka has missed an absolute sitter. You have to score that, no excuses. I can't believe it.

Saka has the goal at his mercy inside the six-yard box after a cross from Riccardo Calafirori; it's harder to miss.

But miss he does, blazing over the bar. Mental.

If Arsenal can get another quickly here, who knows what will happen?

This is a massive 10 minutes. If PSG ride it out, they are through, but that is a big 'if'.

Arsenal are suddenly on top again and have a bit of momentum; they are not down and out just yet.

Get set for a grandstand finish.

Oh, hello, hello, here we go...

This isn't quite over yet. Arsenal have a glimmer of hope thanks to their star boy, Bukayo Saka.

Leandro Trossard shrugs off Marquinhos down the left, who is adamant he has been fouled when he hasn't, and causes chaos in the box with a low cross.

The ball then breaks for Saka, and he just taps the ball into the back of the net.

They couldn't, could they?

Football, eh?

Just a few minutes ago, the Parc des Princes fell flat as David Raya saved Vitinha's penalty.

But now it's absolutely rocking, and I can nearly hear myself think as I type this post.

The fans believe they are Munivch-bound, and can you blame them?

Ohhhhh, what a goal that is!!

Who needs penalties when you can just bend in a beauty from 18 yards out, eh?

Achraf Hakimi pounces on a loose ball and wraps a pearler into the bottom corner to surely kill this tie.

It's terrible defending from Arsenal, they just couldn't clear the ball, but take nothing away from the finish.

Game. Set. Match.

Here comes Ousmane Dembele.

I bet the PSG star thought he was going to be coming on with the tie practically done.

But nope, the Frenchman has a job to do as he replaces Bradley Barcola.

Can he deliver for them again?

JUSTICE IS SERVED!

David Raya is the hero for Arsenal as he gets low to his left to save Vitinha's spot kick.

It's a horrific penalty from the Portuguese midfielder, he stutters and then nonchalantly rolls the ball toward the bottom corner. I hate those sort of penalties, but Raya doesn't...

Arsenal stay alive.

Mikel Arteta decides to make some changes before the spot kick.

Myles Lewis-Skelly's last involvement is to give away the penalty, which is so harsh, and he now makes way.

Riccardo Calafiori is on, while Leandro Trossard is on for Gabriel Martinelli.

I told ya...

How that is a penalty, I have no idea. The fact that Achraf Hakimi didn't even appeal tells you everything you need to know.

And now PSG have the chance to kill this tie dead, when they really shouldn't have one.

A huge moment now.

Wait, what?

VAR are checking for a penalty for PSG, I'm not sure anybody even appealed for it at the time.

Achraf Hakimi's shot from close range hits the hand of Myles Lewis-Skelly, but there is no way it should be given.

I bet it will, though...

Gigi Donnarumma is at it agaain, my word.

This bloke just can't be beaten, no matter how brilliant the shots coming his way are.

Bukayo Saka bends an absolute pearler toward the top corner, and it looks like this is the moment.

But no, Donnarumma gets across at full stretch to tip the ball over the bar.

He has been incredible again tonight.

Ohhhhh....

For a fleeting moment, I thought William Saliba has just had a clanger to allow Bradley Barcola through.

The pair raced to get the ball on the counter, and Barcola looked like he wrestled Saliba off the ball.

But he just about stays strong enough and gets to the ball.

It's not Arsenal's night on the set-piece front...

They have conceded form one, and in an attacking sense, they haven't looked as threatening from them as they usually do.

Martin Odegaard whips a free-kick into the box, but it's far too easy for Gigi Donnarumma to punch it away.

Arsenal just aren't creating anything.

As well as Arsenal have played it’s pertinent that they haven’t really created a clear chance since that 1-2-3 from Rice, Martinelli and Odegaard in the first eight minutes. And we’ve played an hour now…. Time to go for broke with the substitutions soon, I guess.

Ohhhh, that is filthy.

Thomas Partey needs a ticket to get into the Parc des Princes, as does Jurrien Timber. They have both been rinsed by Vitinha.

The midfielder shows his incredible close control on the byline as he dances past the pair of them like he is primed for Strictly Come Dancing.

He tries to whip in a cross, but David Raya beats it away.

Guess who has just been booked?

That's right, it's Myles Lewis-Skelly... no surprises there. The youngster loves a cheeky yellow.

He gets this one for hauling down Bradley Barcola just as he looks set to break away.

Worth it.

Phoar, Nuno Mendes is a joke.

The bloke has one hell of a set of wheels on him; he is ridiculously quick.

The full-back gets on his bike with the ball down the left and flies through a crowd of four Arsenal players as if they are not there.

He shifts the ball to Desire Doue in the area, but the youngster's effort is pretty damn terrible.

Still, that pace is scary.

Arsenal don't look the same team as they did in the first half.

They aren't zipping it about with intent anymore; in fact, they are struggling to even make a dent in the PSG defence.

It's fair to say, this game is far from the levels that we saw last night. For now, at least.

Let's hope that changes...

Ohhhh, that looks like a nasty one.

Bukayo Saka is in a heap on the floor after being chopped down by Nuno Mendes; he doesn't look a happy bunny.

But a quick couple of shakes of the wrist and he is fine.

Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele comes out to warm up on the sidelines and, y word, the roar is deafening.

I think he is a fan favourite, don't you?

PSG have come out of the blocks a lot quicker than they did in the first half.

Their fans are chanting a very catchy song that I am bobbing along to, while they press forward from the whistle.

If PSG score next, then well, the tie is over.

It all comes down to this.

In just over 45 minutes time, we should know who our two Champions League finalists are.

Who will join Inter: PSG or Arsenal? We're about to find out.

Owen Hargreaves, 2008 Champions League winner, on TNT Sports:

We said about set pieces, it wasn't a great header from Partey. Fabian Ruiz does brilliantly. Martinelli gets there too quick, he's got to know Fabian Ruiz is left-footed. The deflection kills everybody.

Arsenal were brilliant in the first half. They just couldn't finish. That was partly their own lack of ruthlessness and partly the talent of Donnarumma. If they can produce the same level in the second half, there is still hope.

Nicolas Jover, you have some work to do.

The fact that I even know the name of Arsenal's set-piece coach says everything. He has done a masterful job with the Gunners' set pieces in an attacking sense.

But defensively... things aren't so good.

Since the start of April, no Premier League side has conceded more goals from set plays (excl. penalties) in all competitions than Arsenal (five, level with Ipswich Town).

Not a great stat, is it?

In my best Andy Gray voice: What. A. Hit.

I hope you get that reference, I'm sure the Liverpool fans reading this will.

PSG started the game so poorly, so when Fabian Ruiz hammered a volley into the back of the net, I was incredibly surprised.

I mean, what a way to score your first Champions League goal, eh?

PSG are 45 minutes from Munich!

The French champions have been far from their best, but a Fabian Ruiz screamer has them two goals to the good on aggregate.

But as we know, after last night, that's not always the best lead to have.

Arsenal have been brilliant, and showed a fearlessness that Declan Rice said they would, but just can't finish their dinner.

They have one more half of football to save their season.

There are going to be two minutes of stoppage time here.

Can Arsenal nick a goal back before the break? You feel like they need to.

Arsenal have been very good and don’t deserve to be behind. Equally, they have been open when PSG have countered and as such the home team have had two or three really good chances of their own.

At the moment, meanwhile, I am struggling to get the memory of last week’s first leg out of my head. Where was this Arsenal performance when they needed it at the Emirates? If they do go out here, that will be their lingering regret I am sure.

Ohhhh, that's a big chance.

Mikel Merino is currently on a heap on the floor, but he should be celebrating.

Bukayo Saka does well down the right, as always, and drives a low ball into the path of Merino, who is eight yards out.

But he swings the wrong boot at it, and with his right misses the ball completely.

Why didn't he go with his left? He would have scored.

This has been one hell of a football match.

The pace of this game is crazy; it's like they have all turned into Usain Bolt for the evening.

Desire Doue races into the box but is instantly swarmed by red shirts upon arrival.

Their pressure forces a backheel from the youngster, which leads to... well, nothing.

Arsenal are starting to wrestle a bit of control back again; they are having the majority of the ball.

Gabriel Martinelli whips the ball into the mixer, and Jurrien Timber gets on the end of it.

The Dutchman doesn't mess about and just wellies the ball at goal, but his effort is blocked.

You feel Arsenal need to respond soon if they are to stand a chance of making the final.

Where is Mikel Merino??

If anything screams that Arsenal need to get a striker, it's the passage of play that has just happened.

Bukayo Saka does brilliantly, feeds Declan Rice, and the midfielder looks up to see his options.

And well, there are none... not a single player in the box. Crazy.

That would have been some goal.

I was just about to say this game has completely changed, PSG have been well on top since the goal.

But as I look up, the ball drops to Mikel Merino, and he goes for an acrobatic volley over his shoulder.

It's a decent effort, but the ball spins wide of the mark by quite a way in the end.

I mean, fair play for trying it.

It should be tie over... I can't believe it's not.

Bradley Barcola is away; he just has David Raya to beat. He can kill the tie right here.

But no, he ponders on the ball, and Declan Rice slides in as the Frenchman pulls the trigger, and it sends the ball into the line of David Raya.

Arsenal are still alive... just about.

Does everybody know that meme from Alan Partridge where he says 'He's got a foot like a traction engine.'

Well, that meme applies here.

Fabian could not have hit the ball much sweeter than he did, and it's hard to see Arsenal coming back now.

WOW!

That is an absolute stunner from Fabian Ruiz, and all of Arsenal's good work at the start of this game is undone.

The resulting free-kick is headed back out to Fabian Ruiz, and you just know he is going to take a touch and hit it.

And boy, hit it he does. The Spaniard hammers a half volley into the corner in some style.

A huge goal for PSG against the run of play.

Ooooft, that's not a great challenge...

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is rolling around on the floor like he has just been sniped out of the sky.

To be fair, Declan Rice does scissor him down with a nasty challenge after a heavy touch, and he gets booked.

Still, not sure it's worthy of that reaction.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport, at Parc des Princes:

Martin Odegaard is playing as though he has been reading and listening to some of the things written and said about him recently.

Arsenal’s threats are coming from everywhere, but it’s the Norwegian’s driving runs through the centre of midfield that are causing PSG the most problems. This is the Odegaard we have been waiting to see in recent weeks. Superb game so far.

PSG are just so dangerous on the counter.

No matter how much of the ball Arsenal have had, and how threatening they have been, whenever PSG get the ball going forward, they look threatening.

It's sloppy play at the back that gets Desire Doue on his bike, and he races all the way into the Arsenal box before drilling the ball low at goal. But David Raya is equal to it.

This is one hell of a game; we just need a goal.

Why didn't Martin Odegaard shoot??

The Norwegian manages to fashion space outside the box, and I bet Arsenal fans are screaming 'just hit it'.

I mean, he should, but he decides to keep dancing on the edge rather than having a crack.

Strange call, and in the end, the attack fizzles out.

Oh OK, the bookings are back...

Last week's referee loved dishing them out, and now we have our first of the night in the second leg.

Nuno Mendes is the one who goes into the book for stepping ON Jurrien Timber's foot.

Now, that has got to hurt.

Now, that is what you call a warning shot!

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shows Arsenal why they shouldn't get comfortable with a belting effort from distance.

The Georgian loves to take a pot shot, and my word, this is nearly a sensational strike.

He dances inside on the edge of the box, like he is on Strictly, and then sets his sights on the top corner with a bending effort.

It's a beautiful strike and it crashes back off the post...

PSG have the ball in the Arsenal half, I repeat, PSG have the ball in the Arsenal half.

It has taken 16 minutes, but it seems as though the French champions have clocked that they actually have to put a shift in. About time.

Desire Doue looks to take everybody on, but the red wall in front of him is rather intimidating.

He opts to pass backward... smart move.

PSG can't get out of their own half, this is incredible.

The French side are so used to controlling the game, but Arsenal aren't allowing them to even have a kick here.

I really wasn't expecting this. Mikel Arteta's side look so, so hungry.

You feel like they have to take advantage of this momentum soon, mind. If not, they will regret it.

PSG breathe a sigh of relief.

Gigi Donnarumma looked to have hurt himself after that incredible save; he looked in real trouble.

But after the magic sponge was brought on by medical staff, he miraculously leaped back up and was ready to go again.

The PSG fans cheer as if their side has just scored...

What an opening eight minutes this has been from Arsenal and they should be ahead on the night already. A cross in to the box followed by a long throw in to the box.

Both led to clear chances. Have Arsenal identified a weakness in the heart of the PSG defence?

GIGI DONNARUMAA, TAKE A BOW!

That is a sensational save from the PSG goalkeeper. I have no idea how he has kept that out.

The ball drops to Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box following another long throw, and my word, does he hit it sweetly.

The Norwegian could not have hit that any better, or harder in fact, and the ball is flying toward the bottom corner.

Donnarumma sees it late, but he somehow gets low to palm the ball wide. Absolutely incredible.

How have Arsenal not scored yet? This is crazy.

I can't believe just how brilliantly Arsenal have started here.

Frankly, they are battering PSG; the hosts have their backs against the wall here.

Gabriel Martinelli looks a different player. I was hammering him before the match, but he looks well up for it.

A man with a point to prove.

How are Arsenal not in front?

I'll tell you how, it's because of Gigi Donnarumma; he is at it again for PSG.

It's another huge chance for Arsenal as Gabriel Martinelli gets on the end of a long throw.

It drops to him six yards out, and you are thinking, 'here we go', there is surely no way he can miss.

But Donnarumma makes an unbelievable stop from point-blank range to keep his side in front in the tie.

Declan Rice wasn't lying, Arsenal don't look scared.

Oh my word, what a chance!!!

It's almost the perfect start for Arsenal. I really thought they were level for a second.

The Gunners have come flying out of the box, and Jurrien Timber nips the ball off of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just outside the PSG box.

The Dutchman whips in a pearler of a ball, and Declan Rice rises highest to meet it; you just think he is going to score.

But he smashes his header inches wide of the post. Should he do better? I think so.

This is going to be some battle down the Arsenal right tonight.

Bukayo Saka against Nuno Mendes, it's going to be box office. Both are brilliant players.

It takes less than a minute for Saka to earn his first crack at the Portuguese full-back, but he comes off second best, and there is a huge roar from the crowd.

Saka is in for a tough night.

Jeez, I can barely hear myself think.

This may just be the best atmosphere I have heard in the Parc des Princes this season, and that is saying something.

The Arsenal players have a real job on their hands to try and block this noise out; it won't be easy.

They huddle for the final time, the players roar, and then they take to their positions.

And off we go... who will join Inter in the final?

Wow, what a pre-match show.

If you read my stuff a lot, you will know by now that I love a light show before a big game. I know, I know, it's controversial.

This wasn't always the case. I used to call it 'tinpot' when I was a fan, but as a journalist, I thoroughly enjoy them. Who doesn't want to be entertained before the teams come out?

Well, PSG have nailed there's. Pyro, fireworks, and belting music. You don't get much better than that.

The two teams then make their way into a cauldron of noise, and the chants are deafening as the players place their boots on the grass for the first time.

There is a brilliant tifo in one of the stands... it makes Arsenal's form last week look a little pathetic. They just do it better in Europe, though.

This is a special atmosphere, I have goosebumps.

Liverpool came here and PSG rolled right over and through them – somehow they didn’t score. Villa came here and got knocked over. How can Arsenal stop the same thing happening?

Are Partey and Rice the key men? Is it the Arsenal full-backs? Mikel Arteta must have the answer. It’s the biggest night of the Arsenal manager’s coaching career.

Martin Keown, former Arsenal defender, spekaing about Declan Rice on TNT Sports:

This is by far the most productive season we've seen from him. He's developing into a top player. He's playing with such confidence, and every facet of his game is developing. His physicality in that midfield is really important tonight.

Playing as an eight tonight is important to the way he plays. You almost have to question the academy (at West Ham). It's all under the bonnet and the manager is teasing it out.

Arsenal fans, how are we all feeling?

I'm pretty sure you will have all responded with 'nervous'. I mean, you have to be bricking it at this point. This is always the time in the night when the jitters start to come ahead of kick-off.

The teams are just wrapping up their warm-ups, and meanwhile, you are all either pacing around in your living room or your legs are shaking in the stands.

This is when I love being a neutral; you can just enjoy the game.

Everybody talks about how brilliant the atmosphere is at the Parc des Princes. And it is. Once the game starts. Before the game, it's loud but only because the sound system is cranked up to the max. If the fans were singing their hearts out, you wouldn't know it.

I hope they are at least playing some good tunes, Oliver...

Tonight feels absolutely massive for Mikel Arteta.

I have been involved in a mass debate with many colleagues this week over the Spaniard, and if his job is as safe as it seems.

Now look, Arteta has done a brilliant job in getting Arsenal back amongst the elite domestically and in Europe. Before he arrived through the door, the Gunners were nowhere, and now look at them, in a Champions League semi-final.

That, paired with two consecutive second-placed finishes in the Premier League, likely soon to be three, Arsenal are back where they belong. It's been a promising few years.

However, the Gunners still haven't won a trophy in five years.

Arteta might ramble on about the Community Shields he has won, but come on, they aren't real silverware. He is clutching at straws.

At some point, the lack of trophies will start to raise concerns over his position at the club, surely. Arteta has done the first part in getting Arsenal competition, but he hasn't gotten them over the line yet.

If Arsenal get knocked out tonight, that's another season without a trophy for the Gunners. This was meant to be the campaign where they took the next step, as well.

In my head, it could be do or die for Arteta tonight...

Nearly two hours prior to kick-off, the Paris Saint-Germain were already making much noise outside the Parc des Princes, letting off bangers and flares.

The raucous atmosphere is already starting to build up inside, one that Arsenal will need to navigate even before taking into account the 1-0 deficit from the first leg. Though after a string of impressive performances away from home in Europe, they are well-practiced in this area.

Martin Keown, former Arsenal defender, on TNT Sports:

We went six years without making it into the Champions League and the club went into free fall, not making changes for the better. There's been a hell of a lot of change. Everything is going into this basket tonight. Rice has totally convinced me that the players believe they can do something special.

While scenes outside the Parc des Princes haven't been pretty, inside the ground it is starting to pop off, in a good way.

The PSG fans are filling the stands way before kick-off and are belting out chants at the top of their lungs. I mean, what else would you expect with this lot?

They always deliver the best home atmospheres about, I'm never left disappointed when covering a game here.

It's only going to get louder as kick-off approaches, too.

Oh dear, these are scenes nobody wants to see.

Video footage has come to light of the French police using tear gas on PSG supporters on the streets.

Unsavoury, to say the least.

The news that Ousmane Dembele is not fit enough to start is a major boost for Arsenal.

PSG’s leading scorer caused the Gunners much problems in the first leg, his omission a stark one indeed.

With Thomas Partey back from suspension, pre-match Arsenal’s belief will be that much greater.

Desire Doue is an absolute baller, sisn't he?

Now, if it wasn't for a certain Lamine Yamal, I would call him the most exciting youngster in world football; he's that good.

Personally, he's not even that far off the level of Yamal; he is just yet to do it on the biggest of stages. Well, there is no time like the present.

With Ousmane Dembele absent from the starting line-up, it's time for Doue to step up and take the mantle, not that he hasn't already been doing that at times anyway.

I simply can't wait to see those twinkle toes dancing around the Parc des Princes again. He is simply brilliant to watch.

But can he deliver the goods?

Yes, it's a fillip for Arsenal that Ousmane Dembele is not fit enough to start. But any optimism it might engender has to be tempered by the realisation that the front line now comprises Barcola, Doue and Kvaratskhelia. It's still a formidable trio.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

It's not just where we want to be; we want to make a final. We learned a few things from that game. We have a big conviction that we're going to do it tonight. It's what this club deserves, but we're nowhere near where we have to be - still so much to do and win, but we're on the right trajectory.

Rice will have more freedom. It's a partnership that we've developed for a few years (with Odegaard). Both teams are going to be high intensity, and we'll have to change the game at some point with fresh legs.  

They were quite direct. We expected them to play much more, but they didn't want to against our high press. Hopefully, we can do better. We face big atmospheres in the Premier League every week. This club has been trying to reach the final and win it for a long time.

What did I say?

I told you that the atmosphere would be wild when the team buses made their way to the stadium.

Just look at these scenes, they are mental... in a good way.

The pyro is out and chants are being shouted at crazy levels of noise; the fans are well up for this.

The atmosphere inside is going to be unbelievable, I can feel it.

Should I be shocked? Probably not.

I mean, Ousmane Dembele has been crocked for the past week, so it shouldn't really be a surprise that he is only on the bench.

But still, Luis Enrique said he was fit, and this is a massive match, so I just thought he would be given the nod.

This is the biggest game of the French champions' season; he really must have been struggling to not have been selected from the start.

Now, don't get me wrong, Bradley Barcoila is a baller, but he is no Demebele, so it's still a huge blow.

Will Enrique risk him at any point? Well, I guess he won't need to if things are going well.

And if they're not, then well, he will just have to, surely.

Ohhhh... I was wrong.

I can hear the cheers all the way from north London. This is a huge boost for Arsenal and a big blow for PSG.

Ousmane Dembele is only fit enough to start on the PSG bench, with Bradley Barcola replacing the Frenchman.

Other than that, it's as was in the first leg for the Parisians.

PSG starting line-up: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquninhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Barcola, Doue, Kvaratskhelia

Substitutes bench: Safonov, Tenas, Ramos, Dembele, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Zaire-Emery, Beraldo, Tape, Mbaye.

I feel for Leandro Trossard, I really do.

Now, don't get me wrong, I know that Arsenal need a striker tonight, so I do understand why Mikel Merino has been put up there. However, should Trossard be the one to suffer? I don't think so.

The Belgian has refound his scoring form of late, netting four times in his last seven appearances in all competitions. That's not exactly bad going, in my book.

I haven't been overly impressed by Gabriel Martinelli either; I'm not sure he deserves to get the nod over Trossard.

This is when he proves me wrong and bags a hat-trick, isn't it?

Just imagine.

Ohhhh... Très intéressant

Mikel Arteta has decided to throw a curveball by plonking Mikel Merino back up top this evening.

With Thomas Partey returning from suspension, Merino takes the place of Leandro Trossard up top this evening.

Feels harsh on the Belgian, I can't lie.

Meanwhile, after missing the defeat against Bournemouth in its entirety, Jurrien Timber returns to the Arsenal line-up.

Riccardo Calafiori make the bench.

OK, this news is not quite as positive for Arsenal.

Last week, Ousmane Dembele appeared to have a little problem as he hobbled off during the first leg with 20 minutes to go.

Seeing he has one of the best players in the world this season, it's fair to say, PSG were bricking it over whether he would recover for the second leg.

I even had Arsenal fans texting me, buzzing, when he went off last week, it got their hopes back up.

Well, I am about to smash them to smithereens because Dembele will be in the PSG squad tonight in some capacity. Luis Enrique confirmed that yesterday.

It's highly likely that he starts.

There can be no moaning about injuries from Arsenal fans tonight.

That means it will be about the ref instead...

I'm joking, I'm joking. There is absolutely no way I am implying that Arsenal fans moan a lot, not in the slightest.

Well, for now, I am going to make them smile, at least. The early team news is very promising for them.

Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafirori, and Jurrien Timber all trained yesterday and have travelled to Paris, despite previously being injury doubts.

That means you can expect one hell of a strong line-up from Mikel Arteta; Gabriel will be the only big name missing through fitness troubles. Jakub Kiwior has been class recently, anyway, so there is no need to worry there.

Who will be joining him in the back four, though?

So I am going to say it. I have a ‘feeling’ about this game. I see a basketball game – high scoring and dramatic. Arsenal to edge it. See you in Munich…

I hope you're right, Ian!

In just under 90 minutes time, this place is going to be a cauldron of noise.

My eardrums are already scared; they are going to burst by the end of this evening, I have no doubt. It will be worth it.

For now, though, it is eerily quiet inside the Parc des Princes, with all the fans still outside the ground waiting for players to arrive.

There is always something off about seeing a stadium empty on matchday, isn't there?

Well, I think there is.

Erm... well, this is interesting.

I mean, I love my club just as much as the next person, but I'm not sure I'd ever get a tattoo of the manager lifting a trophy, would you?

To be fair, I don't have any tattoos, so I am probably not the best example in this scenario. But still, it's a brave, brave move.

Roman Kemp is so desperate for Arsenal to win this competition that he is willing to get the Spaniard inked on his skin if they get their hands on Ol' Big Ears.

I wouldn't start getting the tattoo gun ready if I were him, mind.

This is going to be one hell of a bus welcoming.

These days, fans love to get to the stadium early to show their support for their team as the players arrive via coach. It's a staple of the game.

The likes of Liverpool, Everton, Real Madrid and Barcelona do it brilliantly, and I'm sure these PSG fans will have the flares out in no time.

When they do, I will share the pictures because they will be incredible.

Emmanuel Petit, former Arsenal midfielder, speaking to Fastslots:

The Champions League is so hard to predict. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have never won it, but when you look at the quality of both teams you know they have a chance. PSG have been amazing since January and have impressed collectively.

For Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain, don't let them control the game and you have a very good chance to beat them. They have quality at the front individually to score goals, but if you are able to stop them controlling the game, they hate it.

I swear, Arsenal love life on the road more than being at home.

I seem to read statistics that prove they are better away from home than they are at the Emirates. They are everywhere.

And there is one today that will surely get the hopes up of every Arsenal fan.

The Gunners have won each of their last four away games in the Champions League – the Gunners have never won five in a row on the road across all European competition before.

Tonight would be the perfect night to change that.

Arsenal's laser focus on the Champions League has been to the detriment of the team's performances in the league, an almost acceptance that domestic matters are not of real importance when the title seemed all but Liverpool's — the Reds were 12 points clear before the Gunners's draw with Everton. It's a strategy which is now truly hurting them, with a number of teams so eager to qualify for Europe's premier competition.

The dour mood may seem strange with the Gunners going into a Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, yet having finished league runners-up for two consecutive seasons, you can sense the thought of regression starting to seep in; particularly if they now don't reach the Munich final on May 31 after putting so much focus on the competition.

It's fair to say, when it comes to English fans in Paris, they should always be careful.

There is a history, of course, and Liverpool fans know better than anybody to be vigilant in the French capital.

I know many Reds fans who will never return to Paris because of what happened during the Champions League final in 2022.

Well, Arsenal have warned their fans to be careful in the French capital ahead of the second leg tonight, even advising against wearing club colours.

But what else have they done?

Well, of course, they have given fans going into the ground free scarves with club colours... Yep, even after their warning.

Read more below:

There will be no Rio Ferdinand at the Parc des Princes this evening.

The former Manchester United man is normally a staple for TNT Sports' coverage on nights like this; he very rarely misses a big game.

However, it appears that Ferdinand is in the hospital and will not be able to cover tonight's semi-final in Paris.

It is yet to be known why the retired defender is getting treatment, but fingers crossed, everything is OK.

Get well soon, Rio!

Luis Enrique, PSG boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

I [have] the same feeling that I had before the match, that they were a great team, they are a great team. It was so tight, it could go any side, but I think we competed very well and now it's the second leg, a match at home, which means we can feel the spirit of our supporters.

We are happy, we are trying to win the second match again and it's going to be difficult, of course. When you play those kind of matches at that level, you feel, you smell clearly the happiness and they are looking forward to playing that match. It's so easy to train that week and everybody is connected and focused on the semi-final.

They always say that playing at home in the second leg is a massive advantage.

Normally, I wouldn't disagree, but PSG themselves have proven that to be ineffective this season against Liverpool in the round of 16.

They lost the first leg at the Parc des Princes, despite absolutely battering the Reds, and everybody thought the Anfield crowd would mean Liverpool would sail through.

And well, obviously, that didn't happen.

However, PSG's home record bar the Reds game has been pretty good in Europe of late.

PSG have won three of their last four Champions League home games, netting 14 goals across those three victories.

Yes, 14! Crazy, crazy numbers.

I'm going to do Arsenal fans a favour here and predict a PSG win. I hope I'm wrong but the French champions are the best team I've seen this season and I think they'll be irresistible tonight. Thank me later if I've jinxed them.

It just might be, you know.

Never have I seen a PSG team like this, one that fights for each other toward a common goal. That goal is the Champions League trophy.

This has been the one piece of silverware that PSG have craved for well over a decade. They have chucked endless amounts of money at the team in pursuit of winning Ol' Big Ears.

Through the years, they have had stars such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and even Lionel Messi. But no matter how much firepower they had, the trophy seemed to get further away.

So, it just feels fitting that with all of those stars off the books, now would be the time they finally get their hands on the trophy.

They couldn't have put themselves in much better of a position than they have - well, I guess they could have scored more last week, but still.

I just have that feeling that, after all the pain they have endured in the Champions League, this is their year.

They made the final five years ago, but couldn't get the job done. This time, they are much better equipped. First, though, they have to do a job on the Gunners again.

Can they do it?

Good vibes only.

Declan Rice said that his Arsenal team-mates don't fear PSG, and I think the proof is in the pudding .

Just look at the pictures from their final training session yesterday; they hardly look like they are worried. It just looks like a group of mates having a good old kickabout. All smiles.

I'm sure they got focused at some point during the session, but even so, I actually think these kinds of vibes at training ahead of a big match can only be a good thing.

May as well be laid back, there is no point getting all worked up and nervous before a game like this. Arsenal need to be chill; that is when they play their best stuff.

Are they about to cook up a storm tonight?

Declan Rice, Arsenal midfielder, speaking on Tuesday:

It was the same team [in the group stage clash], other than Dembélé and [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia. Everyone else started, and we beat them. So there’s no fear. I think the goal inside three minutes probably shocked us a little bit, shocked the atmosphere a little bit.

But once we found a foothold in the game again, we started creating chances. The goalkeeper made some amazing saves. We fully believed that we could beat them. Obviously, it wasn’t meant to be, but we’ve seen enough and we know enough as a team that we can do something really, really good.

I think you need to have full belief. We certainly have that as a group. The manager certainly drills that into us every single day. If we’re the best versions of ourselves tomorrow night, and we know we can be that, there’s no stopping us getting into that final. We really need to be positive. You can’t come into a semi-final away at Paris and not have that belief and courage that you’re going to come here and win the game. So we’re ready and we’re looking forward to it.

Remember that phrase 'remontada'?

You know the one... the phrase that means comeback in Spanish, the one that Real Madrid players wouldn't stop talking about.

Yep, that one.

Well, Arsenal are going to need a miracle 'remontada' if they are to get through to the final. Yes, I know it's only a one-goal deficit, but history is not on their side.

Only two teams have reached the Champions League final after losing the first leg of their semi-final tie at home - Ajax in 1995-96 and Tottenham in 2018-19.

I mean, I remember that Tottenham comeback like it was yesterday; it was ridiculous. We all know where we were when Lucas Moura completed that magical hat-trick.

Arsenal are going to need a hero like that tonight.

We may as well cast our minds back to last week, right?

I mean, it feels like a lifetime ago that Arsenal and PSG last met, but it was only eight days ago when Les Parisiens shot down the Gunners in their own backyard.

It was a night to forget for the north London side.

Ousmane Dembele took just four minutes to silence the frantic fans, who were going bonkers before the first whistle, and they never found their voice again.

Frankly, Arsenal are lucky that Dembele was the only player to score; it could have been much worse.

The Gunners now need to provide the performance of their lives next week if they are going to make only their second-ever Champions League final.

It's certainly an uphill battle, but it's not quite out of the question.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, speaking on Tuesday:

To win the final of the Champions League, you have to do something exceptional throughout the tournament. We have done a lot of great things, but tomorrow in Paris against this team is the moment to do it. We want to elevate the level of this team and start to make history. That is the opportunity we have ahead of us to do it.

We are one win away from being in the final. We cannot consider anything else. Let's not do the talking, let's do it tomorrow on that pitch at 9pm (CET) when the game starts, Show our best, best, best, best version and win the game. A lot of the things we did in the first game [we must do] better and more consistently. If we do that, the probability for success will be very, very close for us.

We are more than capable. We have done it in Europe against a lot of odds. Probably nobody would say that we would be in this position. That was against history as well. So, let's make our own history. We are in the semi-final in the most beautiful cities in the world against a great opponent. It doesn't get much better than that. We are here to make history. We have a big opportunity tomorrow.

We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do. A lot of learnings from the first leg as well on how small the margins are between the two teams. The result, in my opinion, should have been very different too. So, tomorrow is another opportunity to prove that and earn the right to be in the final.

They think it's all over, but it's not yet...

Well, I say that, but I don't think that many people think it's over; you'd be a fool to think one goal is enough in a European semi-final. I just wanted to use that line because... why not?

Arsenal aren't dead and buried just yet, far from it, even if people try to tell you otherwise.

Don't get me wrong, being a goal down and having to play away at PSG is far from ideal, but we have seen these kinds of ties turned around before. It can be done.

Arsenal's problem is that their preparation was far from ideal. Their defeat at home to Bournemouth with practically a full-strength side playing was abysmal. Mikel Arteta's side were terrible.

It's been a really bad eight days for them, but they will have to get that out of their mind if they want to reach their first Champions League final in nearly 20 years.

Remember, this is a PSG side who have so many demons in their closet from years gone by. They may be the best team in Europe, but that doesn't always help when you get in your own head.

The Gunners need to make sure Luis Enrique's side doubt their ability to round this tie off; they need to get in their heads. Do that, and Munich may await them. Don't, and their season ends in failure.

It's a huge night.

I mean, where do you start?

It's been nearly 24 hours since Inter took down Barcelona, and I am still struggling to wrap my head around what happened. The word dramatic doesn't even cut it.

If you thought the first leg was mental, this was another level.

Barcelona looked down and out, then they were back, only to be down and out again. It was a rollercoaster of a night from the first minute to the last. Chaotic, in the best way.

I remember turning to a colleague before the match and saying 'Inter are going to win this'; I could just sense it. What I couldn't sense is just how they would get there.

The Italian side were on top from the gun, and 22 minutes in, Lautaro Martinez nearly caused an earthquake when he tapped home the opener on the break. The San Siro nearly exploded.

Before half-time, things got better as Inter were awarded a penalty, which Hakan Calhanoglu dispatched in style. Barcelona were shook to the core.

But just went you thought this tie was done, the visitors completed a miraculous comeback, with Raphinha seemingly rounding it off with two minutes of normal time remaining. Barca were 3-2 up and heading for Munich, but there would be another twist.

When in doubt, just lump your centre-back up, right?

Well, that's what Inter did, and they reaped the rewards as deep into stoppage time, Francesco Acerbi smashed home Denzel Dumfries' cross from absolute nowhere. So, to extra time we went.

Davide Frattesi would prove to be the hero, bending home the winner in the 99th minute. It was pandemonium. Barca had no answers; their magic had run out.

Off to Munich, Inter go.

Last night was madness, pure and utter madness.

At the full-time whistle in the first semi-final of the week, as there was an outpouring of emotion from the Inter Milan players, I was at a loss for words.

It may just have been the best semi-final in Champions League history; I can't recall seeing anything like it before.

It's a tough act to follow, that's for sure.

Well, tonight it's the turn of PSG and Arsenal to see who will be meeting Inter at the Allianz Arena to battle for beautiful ol' big ears come the end of the month.

The Gunners have their work cut out, that's for sure. They are going to have to produce something special to make sure they are the ones on their way to Germany.

I wouldn't bank on this being a thriller like the one we saw last night - I mean, we may never see anything like that again - but with this competition, you just never know what chaos awaits you.

Ding, ding, ding... it's time for round two. Are you ready? I am.