He can’t play, but Kai Havertz already has the secret to Arsenal beating PSG – Luis Enrique should be scared

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Arsenal’s season could be defined on Wednesday night, as the Gunners face Paris Saint-Germain.

After PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, Mikel Arteta’s side were dealt a sizeable challenge to reach the final. 

For the first time since 2006 and the second time in their history, Arsenal could confirm their spot in the Champions League final, but a one-goal deficit must first be overturned. 

All eyes will be on what the Gunners can do at the Parc des Princes following a disappointing first leg at the Emirates, in what will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season.

• READ MORE: Arsene Wenger brilliantly explains why Mikel Arteta’s team have a major advantage over PSG in second leg

Kai Havertz must pass his PSG secret to Mikel Merino

Arsenal were warned about PSG prior to the first leg, and the reason why quickly became apparent, as Arteta’s squad were schooled by the Parisiens. 

It was a surprising result, given that just six months prior, Arsenal dismantled Luis Enrique’s side at the Emirates during the competition league phase.

A lot has changed at PSG in that time, and the same can be said about Arsenal in a more negative light, with key players absent due to injury, including the figure that hurt PSG the most back in October.

During Arsenal’s 2-0 win over PSG, Kai Havertz was one of the best players on the pitch, and not only because of his contribution in front of goal. 

No Arsenal player won more duels than Havertz on the night, winning 11 to outdo PSG, a tactic that his replacement, Mikel Merino, must take note of. 

Merino has played a starring role as a makeshift centre-forward in the German’s absence, and now, the Spaniard must take a leaf out of his teammate’s book to rattle PSG in a way that even Enrique cannot deny.

Luis Enrique knows PSG could crumble under Arsenal’s physical pressure 

Speaking after the game at the Emirates in October, Enrique admitted Arsenal were superior to PSG, highlighting how ‘impossible’ the Gunners made the game due to physicality. 

“It’s impossible to play for a positive result when you don’t win any of your duels on the pitch, their defenders anticipated our attackers, and our defenders didn’t anticipate their attackers. Arsenal were superior.”

With the physical edge already imposed on PSG this season, Arsenal must be prepared to replicate such strengths once more, something Merino in particular can do.

Havertz was the catalyst to Arsenal’s victory earlier in the season, and, with a similar profile, Merino can be the dagger to Enrique’s Champions League final plans this time around.