Arsene Wenger makes 'mental problem' claim ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with PSG

Evening Standard

·5 May 2025

Arsene Wenger makes 'mental problem' claim ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with PSG

Former Arsenal boss was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg

Advantage Arsenal: Arsene Wenger suggested PSG could get caught in two minds during second leg

OneFootball Videos

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have a “mental” advantage over PSG ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg.

The Gunners were beaten 1-0 in north London last week and it means they have it all to do as they head to Paris on Wednesday night, looking to keep their hopes of lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time alive.

Arsenal’s hopes would be boosted if Ousmane Dembele is unavailable, with the Frenchman in a race to recover from a hamstring injury.

It has not been ideal preparation to the crucial match, though, for Arsenal, who were at full-strength against Bournemouth on Saturday but were still beaten.

However, while PSG are favourites to reach the final after their impressive first-leg showing, Wenger has suggested Luis Enrique’s side have a dilemma over whether to try and hold onto their narrow aggregate lead or take the game to Arsenal.

“What is interesting in the Champions League, when you go away and home, is every time before you start the game in the second leg, you have a mental problem to resolve,” Wenger told beIN SPORTS.

“The advantage for Arsenal is the mental problem is easy. They have to go and play and win.

“The mental problem for PSG is: do we play to win this game or do we play to protect our advantage and get them playing on the counter-attack, knowing you have to be very clear in your message to the team?

“As well, knowing that not everybody in the team will be necessarily aligned with you because if they decide to protect their advantage, it’s a little bit against the DNA of the team.

“So Luis Enrique has already come out and said they have another game to win and I believe, with the final in mind and you playing at home, it will be very difficult to have a passive attitude.”