Arsene Wenger backs Arsenal to win PSG tie
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal can beat Paris Saint-Germain to reach the Champions League final, though he's warned against any silly mistakes that could swing the tie.
Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images
Ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was asked about the Gunners' Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain this week, and the former manager insisted that his old club are capable of reaching the final in Munich.
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'I believe that Arsenal has the potential to do it,' Wenger said. 'But of course once you go to the semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain is a very good team as well. Everybody is excited about it, so let's see and hope.
'The teams who go through to the semi-final, they have some qualities, you know? Then it's down to the form of the day, to the main players who can show their efficiency on the day, a little bit as well that you have no sending off or stupid reaction at some stage.
'Overall, I believe Arsenal is very solid defensively, and over two legs that has a big importance.'
Photo byArsenal will certainly hope their defensive prowess is enough to pull them through, having only conceded more than one goal in a Champions League game once this season – the dead rubber last-16 second leg they were already leading 7-1.
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Aside from that unusual match, the Gunners have performed very well at the back, including keeping a clean sheet against PSG in the League Phase of the competition.
But PSG's current side are one of the most exciting attacking outfits around, and they'll give Arsenal a sterner test than the one they faced in October.
Photo byIf the Gunners hope to progress to the final, they also need to find a way to replicate something like the nine goals they scored against PSV or the five they scored against Real Madrid.
That's what killed those two ties, and relying on just scoring once or twice and keeping clean sheets is a dangerous game to play.
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