MAGIC MOMENTS

CAN ARTETA'S BOYS FIND SOMETHING SPECIAL?

Cut through all of the bullshit, the table banging, the whining, the injuries, the PGMOL, the searing pain of losing out on the Premier League after two years of monstrous progress… and put it to one side, because this evening, Arsenal are in a place we couldn’t even dream of 7 years ago.

Champions League semin finals is for the big dogs of European football. You almost never fluke your way to a semi final. Making it in 2025 means you traversed a super league, a rubbish seeding system, and some of the finest teams and players the globe has to offer. Arsenal are where they are tonight because they are one of the best teams in the world with one of the best coaches sitting in the dugout. We finished third in the Super League phase, we beat PSV, a galactico Madrid side home and away, and now we have one more game to handle before we reach the final.

The PSG first leg was a shock to the system, fans expected more, we didn’t deliver, but this is Champions League. Going a goal down is part of the journey. Now, the question is whether we have the character and personality to do what the greats of the game have done so many times before: turn it around, away from home, in a great city, in front of a baying French crowd.

If this doesn’t turn you on, I’m sorry, but you need to stop reading now and have a serious word with yourself. My dream for Arsenal over the past 17 years of writing here was that Arsenal could build something that legitimately fight for the biggest honors. We’re now there, I’m going to enjoy this game until I can’t, and I think if last night is anything to go by… this game isn’t going to have a predictable script.

Barcelona and Inter was pure chaos. The Spaniards held the lead once across the thirteen game tie. It was chaos. Both ends. Both teams. The whole time I was watching I was thinking to myself: Rightly or wrongly, Arsenal are not capable of games like that, down both ends of the pitch.

But even then, I realised how pathetic I was for trying to draw a negative out of that result. We can be the best defensive team in the world on our day, without any doubt. We can also brutalise teams on our day with anyone playing. Madrid were beasted by Arsenal. Man City and an unbeaten Sporting Lisbon were both punished by 5 goal wallopings.

Arteta spoke about finding the winning context before the game, alluding to the idea that we are clever enough to adapt to whatever is thrown at us, and do special things. Declan was asked how special he thought PSG were and he basically said, ‘not that special, they just scored early.’ Again, we watched the PSG game and felt it was limp because the opening 20 were pressing perfection by PSG. Once we got a hold in the game, we had some crazy good chances.

Declan thinks we need big balls. Arteta thinks we need magic moments and heroes to step up. This evening is going to throw up something special because you’re watching two teams that want to play football and show their fans they have the mettle to do amazing things.

The psychology of the game is interesting as well. Arsenal have not been good in cups for a while. Arteta has over thought games, players have blown big chances, and we’ve been undone by bang bang magic. But PSG have also created a bit of a rep for faltering on the big stage. This is a team that blew a 4-1 lead under Emery, getting spanked 6-1 in the return leg.

Going into any game with a 1-0 lead is always preferrable, but I have to say, I would worry about the outcome more. Arsenal are better chasing games. They react better when they are deemed outsiders. Arteta would have his brain scrambled if he was protecting something, but hunting down chances against a PSG we know are very much incapable of doing anything outside waves of attack…. it’s tantalizing.

It’s crazy to say that we are in ‘no excuses’ territories missing Kai and Gabriel. But I strongly believe we have a really good chance without them. The makeshift players have been top tier. This game, I feel more positive because Thomas Partey will allow us to shift how we play. Declan as a roaming 8 is a chaos merchant with goals in his boots. Merino as a 9 gives us more of an outlet and a regular threat in the box. Thomas Partey is incredible press resistant. Even having Trossard as a late party killer is preferrable for me.

This game, for me, is more likely to be won early than it is late. PSG are fresher and more built for 120mins. The longer the game goes, the harder it’ll be to track runs. Extra time would be a disaster for Arsenal. But, there’s no reason we can’t do something earlier in the game.

My main feeling for optimism is pure toxic positivity that, at some point in this wretched season, something positive has to happen. Arteta is an unlucky general, but that will turn. I think it could be this evening. Under the bright lights, against his old club, a club that has tried to hire him numerous occasions, against an exteammate.

It’s a beautiful script and I have a feeling something special is going to come of this evening.

So, one ask of you… take this moment in. You never know when it’ll be your last. This is why we love football, it’s what we’ve dreamed of for many years, to compete at the highest level of the beautiful game. We’re here. Let’s see if Arteta and the boys can make this a core memory for all the right reasons.

Ok, that’s me done, big, big love. x

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