Arsenal will need to pick themselves up quickly following their 1-0 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to PSG.
The French media slammed Martin Odegaard for his performance in the tie at the Emirates Stadium but Ian Wright has defended Odegaard amid strong criticism for the club captain.
Thierry Henry has given Arsenal hope by highlighting PSG’s flaw in dropping too deep when Ousmane Dembele went off injured – PSG will ‘monitor’ Dembele in the coming days.
It was Arsenal’s first Champions League semi-final appearance since a crushing 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in 2009 and Sir Alex Ferguson noticed something that night that many would have missed.
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Sir Alex Ferguson noticed what Robin Van Persie did to Kieran Gibbs in 2009
Arsene Wenger’s side went into that Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United well in the tie at only 1-0 down from the first leg.
However, disaster struck within minutes as young left back Kieran Gibbs slipped at the vital moment to allow Park Ji-Sung to score a vital away goal.
It sucked the energy out of the stadium and Cristiano Ronaldo went on to score a brace and dash any hopes of an Arsenal revival.
As per the Independent, Ferguson noticed that only Robin Van Persie went over to encourage the Arsenal youngster following his crucial error.
Ferguson stated: “”The boy [Kieran] Gibbs slipped for one of the goals. The only Arsenal player who went up to Gibbs was Van Persie. He put his arm round his shoulder – and he’s getting that influence on the young players here.”
Arsenal need leadership in Paris return leg
Mikel Arteta and everyone associated with Arsenal Football Club are desperate to deliver the Champions League trophy this season but know that they now face a monumental task.
Declan Rice’s team talk before the first clash against PSG was an example of the leadership and courage that will be needed at the Parc Des Princes.
Odegaard will need to step up and find the form that everyone knows he is capable of, whilst Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will need to get themselves involved in the game more.
Arsenal were not at their best during the first leg but are still very much alive in the tie, now that have to use that to go and believe they can turn the tie around and reach the final in Munich.
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