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Arsenal handed Champions League semi-final advantage over PSG in big boost to Mikel Arteta

Arsenal will face PSG in the Champions League semi-finals with Mikel Arteta's side handed an advantage over the French giants as they prepare for the first leg

[Arsenal players celebrate after their quarter-final victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League]

Arsenal have an advantage over PSG(Image: AP)

Arsenal are set to face one of the toughest opponents in this year's Champions League, PSG, but already have an advantage ahead of the tie.

The Gunners secured their place in the semi-finals with a comfortable 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. Despite missing a penalty in the first half, Bukayo Saka managed to score in the 65th minute.

Real equalised shortly after due to a mistake from William Saliba that allowed Vinicius Junior to score. However, the anticipated onslaught never materialised and Arsenal wrapped up the tie and victory on the night in stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli broke the offside trap to score.

Arsenal will now take on PSG in the semi-final, who narrowly advanced to the semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate win at Villa Park. Arsenal will have an advantage in their first leg as Mikel Arteta's team will have either a full week or six days to prepare for the first leg thanks to Crystal Palace's FA Cup involvement.

Crystal Palace were scheduled to play Arsenal the weekend before the Champions League semi-final first leg, but the match was moved to the following Wednesday due to Palace's Wembley semi-final against Aston Villa.

[BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates at full-time following the team's victory and subsequent progression in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park on April 15, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)]

PSG knocked out Aston Villa(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)

As a result, the Gunners won't have a fixture that weekend and will only play two matches before facing PSG.

However, the situation is quite different for Luis Enrique's team. They have a packed schedule with three games in six days before they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The leaders of Ligue 1 will go head-to-head with Nice on Friday, April 25, in their final match before the Champions League tie. This quick turnaround will undoubtedly push the French squad to their limits, but Arsenal won't be taking them lightly.

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The second-leg in Paris is set for the following week, with PSG facing Strasbourg that weekend and Arsenal facing AFC Bournemouth.

One potential solution for PSG could be to seek assistance from Ligue 1 officials - as they did prior to their game against Aston Villa.

PSG's weekend match against Nantes was initially slated for Sunday, April 13, but after a request from PSG, the fixture was rescheduled to aid their preparation for their Aston Villa clash.

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