Match Analysis: PSG vs Arsenal(UEFA Champions League Semi Final)- A Look at Mikel Arteta's Men - What the Gunners Did Right and What Went Wrong for them

Written by Paul Michael Ezeoha 

Paris Saint Germain piped Arsenal 2-1 at home to secure a spot in the 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League final in Munich. 

This makes it a second UEFA Champions League final for the club in their history- one they would be so much optimistic of wining for the first time given their superb form so far in this competition. 

For Arsenal, with this loss comes a feeling of dismal, as it brought to an abrupt end what seemed like a euphoric European dreams- and invariably, deadening their only opportunity for a silverware this season. 

But we can all agree that they've had quite a remarkable journey in this season's Champions League. Notably, Arsenal played 14 games, where they won 9,drew 2 and lost only 3 of those matches. 

So, with a pat on the back, they are being encouraged to try even harder next season. 

This tie - much like the first leg at the Emirates last week- is somewhat of an equal performance from both sides, with the only difference being the one-goal advantage of the home side. 

The stats can corroborate this claim: in terms of ball possession, the Gunners were superior, with 54%, while PSG had 46%. The total amount of passes completed were 355 and 310 for Arsenal and PSG, respectively.

For the total number of shots, Arsenal were also the leading side- with a total shots of 19, with only 4 being on target, thus translating to a 2.91 Expected Goal ratio.  PSG on the other hand had 11 shots in total, with 6 being on target, which provide explanation for their 1.74 Expected Goal ratio. 

So, in this analysis, Arsenal FC is the focal point. The analysis shall bring forth Arsenal's tactical trend(s) and flaw(s) during this match- thus giving credence to predictions and other notions pointed out in the pre-match analysis of this match. 

(Just a reminder : check the pre-match analysis in this link below if you didn't read it. 

https://thespectrumfootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/05/pre-match-analysis-psg-vs-arsenal-uefa.html )

                           

                             LINE UP

As predicted, Arsenal's formation on paper was 4-3-3. 

David Raya started in between the sticks. The 4-man back line includes:  Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Saliba and Timber- ahead of him to provide defensive cover. The midfield trio of Thomas Partey, who returns to the squad after missing out in the first leg due to suspension, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. Higher up the pitch, Gabriel Matinelli, Moreno and Bukayor Saka formed the forward line. 

Arsenal's Line up on paper(Photo Credit: Canal +) 

Mikel Arteta made only two changes in the course of this game, bringing in Ricardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli, respectively in the 68th minutes. 

    IN-POSSESSION STRUCTURE          

When in possession of the ball- precisely in the opponent's half- Arsenal did maintain two idiosyncratic shapes: 3-2-4-1 and  4-1-5. But they maintained the former for most of the game. 

When in any of these shapes, several key tactical ideas remained constant. Firstly, it was the forward positioning of the double attacking midfielder in the half spaces. Secondly, it was the width provided by the wingers in most occasions, and the fullbacks  infrequently. Thirdly, is the overload of the right flank by a winger, midfielder(Odegaard in most cases) and the right back. And lastly it was the fluid behaviour of the players- interchanging positions frequently. 

This structure we shall see playing out in the scenario below. 

Here, we see Arsenal in a 4-1-5 shape: the two central backs and the full-backs are not visible in this scenario, the sole holding midfielder, Thomas Partey, the two box-to-box midfielders who are now in advance positions- Odegaard in this scenario has drifted to the right half space to combine with Saka and the right back, Timber,who is not within view, and the three forwarders- Saka and Martinelli who provided the width for the team and Moreno operating in the number 9 position. (Photo Credit:Canal+) 

Again, this shape is seen. But in this scenario, only the front 5- the three forwarders and the two box-to-box midfielders- and the right full-back, Timber, are within view.  

Arsenal build up play again from the right hand flank, where the winger,Saka, Odegaard,who has now swapped position with Timber, operates in Timber's inverted full-back position, while Timber himself takes his place in the right half space. These three players form a triangle in this flank. Odegaard makes an overlapping run ahead of Saka, and this distracts Mendez,PSG's left back. Also, Timber's positioning in the right half space pins one of PSG players. Saka now has space to shoot. He then curls one but it wasn't enough to beat the inform Donnarruma in the post for PSG. 

With this, we can see the benefit of wide overload in football, a tactical trend that is part and parcel of Arteta's playing style. 

(Photo Credit:Canal+) 

         

Below, we will see their shape turn into a 3-2-2-3.  

Arsenal 3-2-2-3 in-possession shape (Photo Credit: Canal+)

Fluidity is also another amongst the players is also another phenomenon visible here: 

Surprisingly, Moreno who has been playing as the false 9, somehow finds himself in a defender position- forming a back 3 with Saliba and Kiwior. 

Trossard who is supposed to operate in the left wing, now partners with Partey in holding midfield. 

The front 5 now includes Calafiori who now plays as the left winger, Declan Rice and Odegaard who retained their box-to-box midfielder roles, Saka who is now in the number 9 position and Timber who is in the right flank. 

It is important to take note of the relevance of the box-to-box midfielders in this structure. In this scenario, their positioning in the halfspaces force PSG to defend centrally, as they aim to nullify the danger that these players might pose there. Because PSG were defending very narrowly, this meant that Arsenal wide players, in this case Calafiori and Timber, would be free. 

So, Trossard in the holding midfield role plays a pass to Calafiori on the left flank. Calafiori swings in a pitch perfect cross for Saka, but he allowed the ball go begging ! 

(Photo Credit: Canal +) 

    

DEFENSIVE FLAW

Defensive ineptitude has become one of Arsenal's major problems lately- a phenomenon that was also pinpointed in the pre-match analysis/review of this game. 

This defensive woes was what led to Hakimi's goal, which will be highlighted below, thereby sealing Arsenal's defeat. 

Kvaratskhelia plays a pass for the forward running Hakimi, who has Declan Rice close by his side, but Declan Rice fails to take note of his run.

Hakimi receives the ball, plays it to Dembele, who plays a one-two with him -meanwhile, we can see 3,4...7 Arsenal players watching them make these passing combinations- before he(Hakimi) places the ball comfortably at the back of the net.  

(Photo Credit: Canal +) 

CONCLUSION 

Although Mikel Arteta's statement during his post-match interview that Arsenal were the best team in the night, can be opposed to a great degree,because, mathematically, the best team is the one who wins the game, even if they do so with only 30 percent possession of the ball - Jose, does that ring a bell ? Still, it was good game of football by the Londoners who can only get better, and hopefully one day they will vie in the finals of Europe's most prestigious competition.