Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures have aligned perfectly to give the Gunners the best opportunity to feel refreshed ahead of both Champions League games against Paris Saint-Germain. Mikel Arteta’s side have reached the semi-finals following a sensational victory over Real Madrid.
The north Londoners host the first leg against PSG on April 29. Arsenal will be keen to enjoy a repeat of their home advantage against Madrid earlier this month, having breezed into a 3-0 aggregate lead at the Emirates Stadium. That was a strong enough advantage for Arteta’s side to feel little trepidation on their trip to the Spanish capital for the return leg earlier this week.
Arsenal then travel to Paris for the second leg a week later, on May 7. The Premier League fixtures preceding both legs will ensure their players get excellent preparation.
The Gunners do not play on the weekend ahead of the first leg. Their last match before hosting PSG is a home clash with a Crystal Palace side who will have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final only days later.
Arsenal play Palace on Wednesday, April 23, and will have six days to prepare to face PSG. The lack of travelling in the week before the European game will also benefit Arteta’s players
That will also be the case ahead of the second leg, by which time Arsenal will hope to have a strong lead against the Parisians. Arsenal welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, May 3.
Bournemouth will pose a difficult test to Arsenal, but Arteta will feel comfortable enough to rest key stars, as he did for the 1-1 draws with Everton and Brentford ahead of both matches against Madrid.
Meanwhile, PSG host Champions League-chasing Nice on the Friday before the first leg. They then face a long trip to in-form Strasbourg before the second leg, with that Ligue 1 fixture scheduled to take place on May 4.
Unlike their match against Nantes before facing Aston Villa in the previous round, PSG have reportedly not asked for their meeting with Strasbourg to be postponed.
Arsenal have enjoyed a memorable European campaign and will hope to return to Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium for the Champions League final on May 31. Inter Milan or Barcelona await in that showdown should Arteta’s side overcome PSG.
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