Arsenal are preparing to have a rematch with PSG in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. They lost to the French representative at home in the first leg with a minimal score. There is still hope for the final, but Mikel Arteta and his team have to win at Parc des Princes, a very difficult task.
To prepare for this match, PSG and Arsenal both had quick runs in the national championship. PSG, after being crowned Ligue 1, became quite lax and fielded a reserve team when they visited Strasbourg. As a result, Luis Enrique and his team lost 1-2 but maintained their strength.
With the same score of 1-2, Arsenal also lost to Bournemouth but PSG was different in that they fielded the strongest possible squad, with the return of Thomas Partey in midfield, compared to the match against PSG in midweek. Since then, the "Gunners" have had the midfield trio of Martin Odegaard - Thomas Partey - Declan Rice in midfield.
It was Odegaard who contributed greatly to Rice's opening goal. However, after that, the home team played loosely and lacked determination, allowing the opponent to score 2 goals and win back.
After the match, Arteta was criticized a lot for both losing and losing strength to the pillars. However, the Spaniard is not without calculation. As long as no key players are injured, everything is still under control.
Since Arsenal started the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, they and PSG will play on the second night of this week's matches. After the match against Bournemouth, The Gunners will have 4 days off to refresh their energy and practice tactics before traveling to Parc des Princes, which is a very valuable time.
Although Arsenal lost to Bournemouth, they still have the right to decide the 2nd place in the Premier League rankings. Next season, the English championship will have 5 Champions League spots, so only when there are big changes, will the "Gunners" slip out of this group in the remaining 3 rounds.
In the first leg against PSG, Rice had to play as a "number 6" instead of "number 8" due to Partey's absence. Since then, Mikel Merino has had to play the role of "false 9", which is not the way Arteta plays. Partey's appearance in the match against Bournemouth was an invaluable opportunity to practice one last time before the big match in France.
With Partey, Rice will be returned to his former position. The proof is that he scored against Bournemouth, not so much so that he was missing in Arsenal's attacks as in the loss to PSG. In addition, Odegaard with Rice behind will be more comfortable approaching the opponent's penalty area and giving cards in the midfield.
Mikel Arteta is the one who knows best what he has and what he needs to do to create a comeback against PSG. The Premier League race is over when Liverpool won the title 4 rounds early, all Arsenal's calculations at the moment in the domestic arena are to avoid falling out of the Top 5 to be successful.
