Arsenal Champions League Dreams Hang in the Balance as They Prepare for PSG Showdown.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on the Gunners’ chances of overturning their 1-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The first leg at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal struggle, conceding an early goal to Ousmane Dembélé. Despite a determined response, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to find an equalizer, leaving them with a tough challenge in the return leg at the Parc des Princes.
Henry, speaking on CBS Sports, acknowledged PSG’s dominance in the first leg but remains optimistic about Arsenal’s prospects. He emphasized that while PSG controlled much of the match, Arsenal still has an opportunity to fight back in Paris.
Buy Arsenal's 2025–26 Home Kit through the ArsenalTalks Shop
Click this link to buy the new 2025–26 Arsenal home kit through our ArsenalTalks Shop.
“PSG were far superior in this game, so a lot needs to be changed for Arsenal to make sure they can beat PSG over [in Paris]. It’s going to be a different ball game,” Henry stated.
The former Arsenal striker pointed out that PSG’s performance dipped after Dembélé’s substitution, allowing Arsenal to apply more pressure. He believes that if Arsenal can capitalize on such moments in the second leg, they have a real chance at making a comeback.
“But, yeah, like I said, you’re still in the tie. Anything can happen,” he added.
Loading videos...
Martin Ødegaard, the captain of Arsenal, who was criticized for his performance in the first leg, agreed with Henry. He insists that the team remains confident in their ability to overturn the result:
“It’s just half-time. We have another game, and we have to analyze today, learn from it, and make sure that we go full gas into the return leg and be convinced that we can turn it around,” Ødegaard told UEFA.com.
Historically, Arsenal faces an uphill battle, as only two teams have reached the Champions League final after losing the first leg at home. However, Henry’s belief in Arsenal’s ability to fight back offers hope to fans eager to see their team reach the final.
The second leg at the Parc des Princes promises to be an intense battle. Arsenal must bring their A-game and execute a near-perfect performance to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings