Arsenal welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight (April 29, 2025), which could define their European pursuit.

However, Mikel Arteta's side will enter the game without six key players due to injuries and a suspension, which could dull the Gunners' hopes of reaching a first final since 2006.

Arsenal, who had the weekend off to prepare after watching Liverpool claim the Premier League title ahead of time, must now navigate PSG’s threat while missing a few top performers.

Compared to their opponents, the Gunners are stretched thin, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes ruled out for the remainder of the season, as Sports Illustrated reported.

With a vital first leg at home tonight, as detailed on the Champions League official website, Arteta's men must dig deep to take an advantage to Paris for the semi-final second leg next week.

Arsenal’s growing injury list couldn't have come at a worse time, having gone from facing the defending champions previously to another elite European team this time around.

Gabriel Jesus is sidelined for the season with a ruptured ACL, while defensive stalwart Gabriel Magalhaes also faces a lengthy recovery following hamstring surgery.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, another defensive option, is out after knee surgery, compounding Arsenal’s defensive woes.

Kai Havertz, meanwhile, remains doubtful for both legs of the semis, while Jorginho has also been ruled out. Thomas Partey, although fit, will miss the first leg after seeing too many yellow cards earlier in the tournament.

Gabriel becomes the latest star on Arsenal’s injury list 🤕 pic.twitter.com/kRrA5K8rJA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 3, 2025

Unlike Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain have no new injury concerns heading into the semi-final but might be lacking in confidence.

Their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 came to a sudden halt after a 2-1 defeat to Nice at the weekend - their first league loss of the season.

Arsenal could look to exploit this, but thanks to their weakened backline, PSG remain the favourites for the away victory on paper.

As an experienced manager, Arteta would know just how crucial a first-leg lead could be against a dangerous PSG outfit.

With the second leg at Parc des Princes looming, the home side would be looking to earn another advantage at home.

The Gunners demolished Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter-final first leg before sealing a 2-1 victory a week later at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Arteta would hope that a similar atmosphere would be created at the London stadium again, to inspire the Gunners to a crucial victory ahead of the second leg in Paris.

Unbeaten against PSG ✅

Will Arsenal extend their record? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/pvvBGzysXx

— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) April 28, 2025