Sports News of Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Source: www.dailypost.ng
Former Manchester United star, Rio Ferdinand, has warned Arsenal ahead of their Champions League second leg semi final clash against PSG.
Arsenal are in France where they will lock horns with PSG at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night for a place in the semifinal of the competition.
The Ligue 1 giants go into the second half of the game holding 1-0 advantage over the Premier League side, a win they recorded in the first leg at the Emirates.
Before their meeting with Arsenal, PSG had beaten two Premier League sides, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Although Ferdinand believes the Gunners can overturn the deficit and get past PSG, he said Mikel Arteta’s side must have the right mentality and mindset.
He said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, “I don’t think it’s about ability at this stage, I think it’s about mentality and belief.
“In Bukayo Saka they’ve got a matchwinner who can turn the game on its head. So, they’ve got positives within their team.
“But as many positives as they have, if the mindset isn’t right, they’ll get smoked, I’m telling you. The problem for Arsenal is PSG are a proper team, I don’t think they’re invincible but they’ve been the best team in the Champions League.
“If you’re a football purist, you want the two most attacking and free teams in the final. PSG and Barcelona are the two most attacking and free teams in terms of letting their attacking players just go.
“I think that would make for an unbelievable spectacle and throw us into a different cycle where managers attack more. Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick could be the managers to follow in terms of their philosophy instead of Pep Guardiola who has been great at it in a great era.”
Arteta recently said that Arsenal are ready to create history by beating PSG and reaching the Champions League final.