Ian Wright 'very surprised' by Mikel Arteta tactic after Arsenal's defeat to PSG
Ian Wright admitted he was 'very surprised' by Arsenal's tactics during their Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to PSG.
The Gunners stunned defending European champions Real Madrid in the last round and were hoping for more success against Paris Saint-Germain.
But Arsenal will need to overturn a one-goal deficit in Paris next week after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
PSG dominated the early exchanges and Ousmane Dembele's 4th-minute goal was enough to separate the sides.
Wright was 'very surprised' by Arsenal's subdued start to the tie and says the Gunners 'missed a trick' by not taking the game to PSG.
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'I don't want to be negative about the team but I'm very surprised by the start of the game,' he said on the Wrighty's House podcast.
'I wasn't expecting that start. To be honest I was expecting PSG to back off but it was the other way around, it was the opposite.
'We should have been pressing them but it didn't happen. That's the disappointing thing, without being too negative.
'I think we really missed a trick in the way we started, we didn't take advantage of the crowd who were ready to scream and shout.
'I think we got away with out really because we didn't start like I thought we would, I was very surprised by that.
'I would love to hear Mikel Arteta's post-match interview because I want to hear what he says about the start.
'I cannot fathom that you have a team like PSG come to your place and your tactics are to sit off them and let them play it out from the back and ease across the halfway line.'
PSG have arguably been the standout team in this year's Champions League, having eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa in the last two rounds.
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The French champions are 90 minutes away from the Champions League final but Wright still has hope that his beloved Arsenal can pull off a comeback.
'It's only 1-0 but PSG did look impressive,' Wright added. 'But anyone would if you give them that much time and space in a semi-final at your place.
'PSG are going to try and finish that game in the first 20 minutes and Arsenal have to be very much ready for that. More Trending
'We're in the semi-finals and this is it for our season, the league is gone. This is all we've got left. So I was expecting a performance because this is it now.
'I have got confidence in us because we've shown it before, we've shown we've got the balls to do it. I just hope we can.'
Arsenal return to Premier League action against Bournemouth this weekend before preparing for their huge clash in the French capital.
PSG, already crowned Ligue 1 champions, visit Strasbourg on Saturday.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
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MORE: Arsenal slammed over 'embarrassing' tifo after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League
MORE: Mikel Arteta urged to drop Arsenal star for huge second leg against PSG
MORE: Alan Shearer names Arsenal star who was a 'disappointment' in PSG defeat
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The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool in for Barcola EXCLUSIVE, Chelsea urged to sign Guehi, Prem clubs queue for Sancho
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Scotsman
37 minutes ago
- Scotsman
£700k midfielder signs, Triantis returns, ex-hero joins - Hibs dream XI if transfer rumours are true
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Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Premier League free agent XI including Kevin De Bruyne, Arsenal star, cult hero
Dozens of Premier League players officially become available for a free transfer on June 30 with plenty set to find new clubs without much trouble as sides search for bargains The released lists have been published, the soon-to-be free agents are searching for new clubs and Premier League sides could find some bargains to fill gaps once July 1 rolls around. And while so much of the focus surrounds the likes of Florian Wirtz's potential arrival at Liverpool in a British record £125m deal or whether Arsenal end up signing Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres to finally fulfil the need for a new centre-forward, several familiar names with piles of experience are set to find new destinations. Or maybe they will be able to broker a last-minute deal to remain at their club - such as Thomas Partey and Arsenal. Here is a strong XI of those available without a fee after June 30. Wayne Hennessey - Nottingham Forest Welsh goalkeeper fell out of favour at Nottingham Forest behind Belgium's Matz Sels but there are worse second-choice options. Vladimir Coufal - West Ham Dependable Czech full back lost his starting role to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the season just passed but can still do a job elsewhere. Victor Lindelof - Manchester United The centre back remains injury prone, the biggest hurdle to him fulfilling a career that offered so much promise when he first arrived at Old Trafford. Next destination remains unclear. Michael Keane - Everton A solid option for those in need of depth at the back. Featured sporadically during final season at Goodison Park. Kyle Walker-Peters - Southampton Endured a season of misery at St Mary's as the club went straight back down to the Championship but he is one of few players in that squad with a genuine claim to remain in the top flight. Pablo Sarabia - Wolves Spanish veteran made twice the number of appearances off the bench as he did starts during final season at Molineux and is being linked with a return to Sevilla. Thomas Partey - Arsenal Gunners remain hopeful that terms can be agreed with the central midfielder, especially after Jorginho confirmed his return to South America, leaving Mikel Arteta short of options in the engine room. Christian Eriksen - Manchester United Dane wants to keep playing despite mobility issues but his experience would still make him an asset to many dressing rooms. Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City Premier League legend has made his feelings about departure from the Etihad clear and has no doubt he can continue to be decisive at the very top. Napoli have appeared at the front of the queue and a deal could be concluded sooner rather than later. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton Striker heading for exit after talks over an extension stalled. At his best he is very good but consistency has remained an issue. Jamie Vardy - Leicester Bid farewell to the Foxes and has been linked with a switch to upwardly mobile Wrexham in the second tier. The mess around him at Leicester should not undermine fact he might still have a season or two of finding the net left. Free agent XI: Hennessey; Coufal, Lindelof, Keane, Walker-Peters; Sarabia, Partey, Eriksen, De Bruyne; Calvert-Lewin, Vardy. Subs: Olsen, Dawson, Mee, Evans, Reguilon, Antonio, Wilson.
