The Athletic FC Podcast: How Do Arsenal Hit Back in Paris?
Release Date: April 30, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Art Des Rocher and Stuart James
Introduction
In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Ayo Akinwolere delves into Arsenal's challenging first leg defeat against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League semi-final. With a scoreline of 1-0 favoring PSG, Arsenal faces an uphill battle in the second leg. Ayo is joined by football analysts Art Des Rocher and Stuart James to dissect the match's critical moments, individual performances, and the broader implications for Arsenal's season.
What Went Wrong for Arsenal?
Art Des Rocher opened the discussion by pinpointing Arsenal's failure to heed PSG's strategic warnings throughout the knockout stages. He emphasized the impact of Dembele's early goal:
"As soon as Dembele received that ball in the center circle, my mind just went to the Liverpool game where he scored at Anfield and it was just a carbon copy... that broke the game open for PSG and gave them that platform to hold on to for the rest of the game."
[02:57]
Art highlighted PSG's technical prowess and tactical intensity, which caught Arsenal off guard in the early minutes, making the remainder of the match increasingly difficult for the home side.
Stuart James echoed these sentiments, noting the psychological blow of conceding early:
"Conceding so early, I think you can't underestimate mentally what that did to Arsenal at that time... It was not just a mental problem but also PSG's tactical and technical superiority in that period."
[04:08]
Atmosphere at the Emirates
The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium played a significant role in the match's dynamics. Stuart James described the electric pre-match ambiance, underscored by passionate tifos and flares:
"The noise was amazing... I've been to the Emirates for 18 years and personally, I don't remember it being that loud ever before kickoff."
[05:52]
However, the early goal silenced the crowd, dampening the home support's initial fervor and impacting Arsenal's energy levels for the rest of the game.
Key Individual Performances
Ousmane Dembele
Art Des Rocher lauded Dembele's transformative season:
"33 goals, 12 assists for Dembele this season in 45 games. So 45 direct goal involvements in 45 games. 30 of those in this calendar year. He's exploded in 2025. Arguably the best player in the world."
[13:41]
His intelligent movement and adaptability, transitioning from the right wing to a false nine role, have made him a pivotal figure in PSG's attack.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Stuart James praised PSG's goalkeeper Donnarumma for his crucial saves:
"Absolutely incredible saves for both Trossard and Martinelli. Should Arsenal feel lucky or feel grateful that they're not losing more?"
[08:59]
Donnarumma's performances have been instrumental in keeping PSG ahead, demonstrating exceptional shot-stopping abilities that thwarted Arsenal's offensive efforts.
Arsenal's Midfield and Martin Odegaard
A central theme was Arsenal's midfield struggles, particularly concerning captain Martin Odegaard's performance. Art Des Rocher discussed the need for reinforcement:
"Martin Odegaard is the orchestrator, but his performance last night felt like a shadow of himself post-injury. Arsenal need to improve their attacking options and get more out of Odegaard."
[18:43]
The absence of Thomas Partey due to suspension exacerbated these issues, limiting Arsenal's ability to control the game's tempo and execute effective counter-pressing.
Stuart James added:
"Odegaard didn't combine with Saka as much as expected. There were moments where the ball came back to him, and he didn't play it quickly enough, which affected Arsenal's rhythm."
[21:33]
Substitution Strategy and Captaincy
The episode also touched on Mikel Arteta's substitution tactics and the ongoing conversation about the team's captaincy.
Art Des Rocher critiqued the late substitution of Ethan Nanri:
"Substitutions have been a thread throughout Arteta's time. Bringing Nanri on at the 90th minute didn't offer enough impact. Perhaps making changes around the 75-80 minute mark could have been more effective."
[25:09]
Regarding captaincy, the discussion centered on Declan Rice potentially taking on a more prominent leadership role:
"Rice is a natural leader with or without the armband. His performance last night, leading by example, suggests he could be considered for the captaincy next season."
[26:08]
Stuart James supported this viewpoint, emphasizing Rice's intrinsic leadership qualities:
"Rice doesn't need the armband to lead. His actions on the pitch speak volumes. The leadership group at Arsenal is evolving, and Rice will naturally step into a more prominent role."
[27:49]
Implications for the Second Leg in Paris
Looking ahead to the return fixture in Paris, Art Des Rocher expressed cautious optimism:
"It's going to be very hard. Arsenal needs a masterclass from Arteta, disciplined defense, and exceptional performances from key players like Saka to turn the tie around."
[32:40]
Stuart James outlined the tactical adjustments Arsenal could implement:
"Arsenal can be more patient, find a rhythm before imposing themselves. Exploiting PSG's left side, where Hakimi pushes forward, could open spaces for Arsenal to attack."
[34:23]
Both analysts agreed that while the task is daunting, a well-executed game plan could provide Arsenal with a fighting chance to advance.
Impact on Arsenal’s Season
The Champions League campaign's significance extends beyond the tie against PSG. Stuart James highlighted how this run shapes perceptions of Arsenal's season:
"Arsenal's impressive Champions League record this season has given them hope. Failing to progress would be a missed opportunity, especially after Real Madrid showed their caliber."
[36:13]
Art Des Rocher added:
"Arteta has emphasized that being in the semi-finals should be purposeful. This stage gives meaning to their Champions League journey, differentiating it from a season-only-focused Premier League run."
[38:36]
The analysts underscored that success in Europe would not only validate Arsenal's progress under Arteta but also bolster their confidence for future competitions.
Conclusion
As Arsenal prepares for the second leg in Paris, the team faces immense pressure to overcome a significant first leg deficit. With strategic insights from Art Des Rocher and Stuart James, the episode underscores the importance of tactical adjustments, individual brilliance, and mental resilience. The outcome of this tie could serve as a defining moment for Arsenal's season, highlighting their growth and potential under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Notable Quotes:
- Art Des Rocher [02:57]: "Dembele's early goal... broke the game open for PSG."
- Stuart James [04:08]: "PSG's tactical and technical superiority... was not just a mental problem for Arsenal."
- Art Des Rocher [13:41]: "Dembele... arguably the best player in the world."
- Stuart James [08:59]: "Should Arsenal feel lucky or feel grateful that they're not losing more?"
- Art Des Rocher [18:43]: "Arsenal need to improve their attacking options and get more out of Odegaard."
- Art Des Rocher [25:09]: "Substitutions have been a thread throughout Arteta's time."
- Art Des Rocher [26:08]: "Rice is a natural leader with or without the armband."
- Stuart James [27:49]: "Rice doesn't need the armband to lead."
Final Thoughts
This episode provides an in-depth analysis of Arsenal's current predicament in the Champions League, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the tactical, psychological, and individual factors at play. For fans seeking to grasp the nuances of Arsenal's journey and the challenges ahead, this discussion is both enlightening and essential.