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Paul Merson has just predicted the winner of Arsenal vs PSG over both legs of the Champions League semi-final

Srinivas Sadhanand

Thu 24 April 2025 13:15, UK

Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain’s upcoming Champions League semi-final clash is one of the most fascinating clashes that Europe’s elite competition has had to offer in recent memory.

While Arsenal have been far from their brilliant best in the Premier League this season, their demolition job of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals suggests they could become a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

As for PSG, the fluidity of Luis Enrique’s tactical setup coupled with their bundles of X-factor in attack that is spearheaded by Ousmane Dembele makes them a tricky side for any team to cope with.

However, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has chimed in with his thoughts on which team out of the Gunners and PSG will emerge triumphant in the Champions League semi-final.

• READ MORE: Luis Enrique has already praised four Arsenal players ahead of UEFA Champions League semi-final vs PSG

Paul Merson predicts Arsenal to beat PSG in Champions League semi-final

Paul Merson was initially confident in predicting that Arsenal will topple PSG.

While Paul Merson rates PSG highly as a side, where he feels Arsenal have an advantage over them is the fact that the French giants have already lost knockout games to the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Merson said on Sky Sports: “Yeah, I think Arsenal win over two legs. I think Arsenal win, I think we still get carried away with the PSG of the first leg against Liverpool, I thought they were outstanding, one of the best team performances we’ve seen this season from anyone. But they lost the game, they lost that game 1-0, people still forget that.”

“They are outstanding. But they were hanging on, absolutely hanging on at Anfield, then they go and play Villa and they absolutely dominated Villa, scored last kick of the game which worked out to be a priceless goal in the end to go 3-1 up and then they want to Villa Park and at times in that game, it got to stages where you’re thinking there’s only one winner here and that’s Aston Villa.”

Paul Merson went on to pinpoint that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are disciplined which could also give them an edge against PSG.

“I think Arsenal have every chance, I’d just go slightly go with Arsenal over PSG over legs, I think Arsenal are very disciplined and I think Arsenal win this.”

The one massive advantage Arsenal have over PSG

Some might disagree with Merson and simply fancy the Parisians to get the job done against the North Londoners.

But Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could dominate PSG and end up proving Paul Merson right.

Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz are all wonderful players but against Aston Villa in particular, they seemed to be unable to handle the English side’s physicality.

The likes of John McGinn and Marcus Rashford ran riot as Villa won 3-2 on the night.

With Rice being one of the best athletes in the world and an expert defensively, he could make life hell for Luis Enrique’s side.