PSG have one glaring weakness, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will be key to Arsenal exploiting it

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are set to welcome PSG to North London in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash.

Mikel Merino and Ben White are back in training in a huge boos for Mikel Arteta’s side after they both missed the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League due to injury.

Arteta ruled out Riccardo Calafiori from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium with Polish defender Jakub Kiwior set to continue his blossoming partnership with William Saliba.

Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 in the Champions League earlier this season thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, they exposed a major flaw in the French champions that night and it has continued throughout their campaign.

READ MORE: Why Arsene Wenger was spotted at PSG this month ahead of Arsenal clash in Champions League semi-final

PSG set piece weakness exposed

PSG have been tremendous this season both domestically and in Europe after already knocking out two English clubs in Liverpool and Aston Villa.

The French media slammed PSG for their performance in a recent 3-1 defeat to Nice but Luis Enrique’s side are cruising to yet another French League title.

However, as per Statsfoot, PSG have conceded a mammoth 38% of their goals from set piece routines this season, whilst the Gunners have had their well-publicised success over the last couple of seasons.

Nicolas Jover has been instrumental in adding an exceptional tool to Arsenal’s attacking belt and Arteta’s side made use of it earlier this season as Saka scored past PSG direct from a free kick.

In a game that is set to be frantic but tactical, corners and free kicks may be a decisive part of the tie and one in which the Gunners will fancy themselves to be the stronger of the two sides.

Mikel Merino’s praise for Nicolas Jover

Arsenal have been impressive from attacking set pieces over the last two seasons and Jover’s intelligence and creativity has been key, his attention to the finest details has earned him the plaudits.

Merino praised Jover ahead of the recent clash with Real Madrid and even stated that the Gunners coach has the ability to win games from the side line.

Merino stated: “Nicolas Jover is a star, he works incredibly hard on set pieces, and we train him a lot. In modern football, he’s very important and decides matches.”

The Gunners have used some short corner routines in recent weeks that has yielded some success but you get the feeling Jover will have something special planned for PSG’s arrival.