Arteta calls on Arsenal to make own history in Paris

Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by the Ligue 1 champions at the Emirates Stadium last week, with Ousmane Dembele's fourth-minute strike earning them a narrow lead.

Only two teams have ever reached the Champions League final having lost the first leg of their semi-final tie at home, with Ajax overcoming Panathinaikos in 1995-96 and Tottenham doing the same against Ajax in 2018-19.

Both PSG and Arsenal are bidding to reach their second European Cup/Champions League final, with the French side doing so in 2019-20 and the Gunners in 2005-06.

When winning the first leg of a European tie away from home, PSG have only been eliminated once (by Manchester United in 2018-19), while the Gunners have never progressed when losing the first leg at home.

But having led the Gunners to their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2008-09, Arteta believes his team are more than capable of overcoming those omens.

"To win the final of the Champions League, you have to do something exceptional throughout the tournament. We have done a lot of great things, but tomorrow in Paris against this team is the moment to do it," Arteta told reporters.

"We want to elevate the level of this team and start to make history. That is the opportunity we have ahead of us to do it.

"We are one win away from being in the final. We cannot consider anything else. Let's not do the talking, let's do it tomorrow on that pitch when the game starts, show our best, best, best, best version and win the game.

"We are in the semi-final in one of the most beautiful cities in the world against a great opponent. It doesn't get much better than that. We are here to make history. We have a big opportunity tomorrow."

Ready to give everything. pic.twitter.com/GuuVaHJs2z

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 7, 2025

PSG were almost untouchable in the first 25 minutes of the first leg, while Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos all went close to adding a second goal for Luis Enrique's team.

"A lot of the things we did in the first game, [we must do] better and more consistently. If we do that, the probability for success will be very, very close for us," Arteta said.

"We are more than capable. We have done it in Europe against a lot of odds. Probably nobody would say that we would be in this position. That was against history as well. So, let's make our own history.

"We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do. A lot of learnings from the first leg as well on how small the margins are between the two teams.

"The result, in my opinion, should have been very different too. So, tomorrow is another opportunity to prove that and earn the right to be in the final."