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Arsenal icon Ray Parlour has offered his former club advice on how they can overturn their Champions League semi-final deficit against Paris Saint-Germain.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has offered his former club advice before their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta's side face a difficult task in Paris following a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Ousmane Dembele's early goal proved to be the difference, and the Gunners struggled to break down the PSG defence, with a potential equaliser ruled out by VAR.
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Parlour weighs Arsenal’s Champions League prospects
The former Gunners midfielder believes that the absence of Thomas Partey in midfield was a significant factor in Arsenal's first-leg loss, before noting that Arsenal struggled to cope with PSG's pressing game and consequently had to adjust their approach.
"Arsenal missed Thomas Partey's presence in the centre of midfield," Parlour told Sports Mole. "They struggled to cope early on with the way PSG pressed and won back possession quickly.
"After conceding such an early goal, Arsenal had to adjust their football, which they did and credit to Mikel Arteta, they created a couple of good chances and on another day draw or win the game."
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Looking ahead to the second leg, Parlour believes it is vital for Arsenal to score the first goal in Paris and to avoid conceding early.
Parlour also pointed to his former club’s good away record in the Champions League this season, including a victory in Madrid and previous success at PSV.
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"Merino as number nine will also help and he can cause PSG problems. It's not over, but it's key that Arsenal don't concede early and can grow into the game in Paris,” continued the Arsenal Invincible.
“You look at Arsenal's away record in Europe this season and it is pretty good. Winning in Madrid and heavily against PSV.
"They have nothing to fear and also from set pieces Arsenal can look to capitalise. It's a very tough ask, but providing Arsenal can gain some control of the game in midfield, stop Vitinha dictating the game, then they can create chances to score.
"Being clinical is key as well. There won't be loads of chances, so the ones Arsenal can get, they have to look to score from."
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Arsenal need to overturn the 1-0 deficit in next week’s return leg in Paris to reach only their second-ever Champions League final.
What’s next for Arsenal?
The Gunners host Bournemouth in Saturday’s Premier League fixture before travelling to Paris.
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