PSG have already experienced how tough an opponent Arsenal can be this season.
The Gunners recorded a 2-0 win over the Parisians in the UEFA Champions League back in October, a match Joao Neves started in midfield up against Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz sealed all three points for Arsenal, and roughly seven months on from that clash, the PSG No.87 is still reeling from his tough evening at the Emirates Stadium.
Joao Neves heaps praise on Arsenal
Neves – who Arsenal considered signing from Benfica before his £50m move to PSG in August – is one of the most talented midfielders in Europe, but even he is wary of what Mikel Arteta has created.
When asked by The Athletic which opponent caused him the most problems this season, the Portugal international said: “Arsenal, for sure. One of the best teams. The midfield – Odegaard, Declan Rice, Partey. Amazing players.”
PSG recorded 65% of the possession on that October evening and registered 647 passes – Arsenal made just 354 in comparison – so it was not a lack of control which troubled Neves, but perhaps the sheer physicality of Rice and Partey compared to himself, standing at 5ft 9in.
The 20-year-old did manage to escape a battle against Odegaard, however, as the Norwegian was recovering from his ankle injury at the time.
This time around, it is Partey who will be absent, after a yellow card at the Santiago Bernabeu ruled the Ghana international out of the first leg against PSG.
Formation change from Mikel Arteta is likely
Due to the absence of Odegaard, Arteta, who Luis Enrique has praised, saw fit to adopt a 4-4-2 formation back in October, with Leandro Trossard partnering Havertz in attack.
5 – Arsenal are the opponent that PSG have faced the most times in European competition without ever winning (5 – D3 L2). Nemesis. #UCL pic.twitter.com/DQJSid91vR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 29, 2025
However, it would be a shock if the Spaniard used that same formation now the Norway international is back, and Havertz has since torn his hamstring.
Therefore, we expect Arsenal to line up in the 4-3-3 system which dismantled Real Madrid, with Mikel Merino returning in his false nine role.
