Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final opponents Paris Saint-Germain are facing growing internal concerns, according to a report by Ouest France on Sunday.
Following a poor run of domestic form and a damaging defeat against Nice, doubts have emerged about PSG’s state of readiness for Tuesday night’s clash at the Emirates.
Ouest France describe how the 3-1 defeat at home to Nice exposed several issues in Luis Enrique‘s team, including defensive frailty, midfield inconsistency and a sudden lack of cutting edge in attack.
They write that PSG’s drop in standards began in the Champions League quarter-final, when they almost surrendered a two-goal aggregate lead at Aston Villa, losing 3-2 in the second leg.
Although PSG have already sealed the Ligue 1 title, the newspaper notes that their form has sharply declined, winning only one of their last four matches.
Ousmane Dembélé, previously a standout performer, has now gone five games without a goal. Whether it is a temporary slump or something more serious, it comes at the worst possible time with Arsenal’s defence, the best in England, awaiting.
There are also concerns about Vitinha, whose influence in midfield has waned. Ouest France suggests the Portuguese international’s ability to withstand Arsenal’s pressing and protect the PSG defence will be key to deciding the tie.
Despite the warning signs, Luis Enrique remains bullish. “I am not at all worried,” he insisted.
“What I saw, I would sign up to see again on Tuesday in London and for the return leg. A team that creates 30 chances, I would sign for immediately. But I would not sign for the result, obviously.”
It is worth nothing that the xG for PSG’s game against Nice was the reverse of the final scoreline, with Arsenal’s next opponents creating nine big chances, along with their 32 shots.
But Nice, whose xG was 0.96, managed to create only four big chances yet scored with three of them.
PSG have not kept a cleansheet in their last five fixtures and only one in their last nine.