Ian Wright names PSG’s possible weak point against Arsenal

Ian Wright has picked out Gianluigi Donnarumma as a possible weak point for Paris Saint-Germain and believes Arsenal ‘can get something out of’ the goalkeeper if he has an off day.

The French giants advanced through the Champions League play-offs with a resounding 10-0 aggregate victory over Brest – after a slow start in this year’s competition – and have since asserted themselves as a genuine force in the knockout phase.

But having seen off the newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool in the last 16, PSG’s credentials were put to the test against Aston Villa in a pulsating quarter-final second leg at Villa Park.

In the end, an inspired Donnarumma produced a string of excellent saves at Villa Park to ensure Luis Enrique’s men clung on to keep the club’s hopes of a first-ever Champions League title alive.

Speaking ahead of PSG’s eagerly anticipated semi-final with Arsenal on Optus Sport’s The Kelly and Wrighty Show, Wright highlighted the apparent progress the Ligue 1 outfit had made since Enrique took charge as manager in 2023.

However, the legendary ex-Arsenal and England striker is not fully convinced by Donnarumma and feels the Italian could get found out over the two legs, despite his quarter-final heroics.

‘People talk about Kylian Mbappe not being there and they seem like more of a team,’ Wright said.

‘And they are more of a team: Vitinha in the midfield alongside Fabian Ruiz in the midfield, amazing, and up front with the pace and creativity they’ve got.

‘The goalkeeper is a very good goalkeeper but I do feel like you can get something out of him.

‘Obviously, Arsenal did well against them in the earlier rounds but I think that they’re two different teams. Arsenal are a different team at this stage as well.

‘I think it’s very, very finely balanced, this one, in respects of who is going to win it because it’s such a tantalising fixture.’

Wright has been reminded of Carlo Ancelotti’s recent Real Madrid sides when watching PSG’s wealth of attacking talent in this year’s competition.

‘The reason Real Madrid have had such a hold on the competition is they’ve got individuals that can just go, “Bam””, and do it for you,’ he explained.

‘They’re not that organised going back and doing defensive work.’

On the importance of Arsenal giving themselves a buffer ahead of the second leg, Wright replied: ‘We have to, any cushion.’

Wright’s former manager, Arsene Wenger, believes Arsenal’s defensive solidity is likely to be key if Mikel Arteta’s men are to progress into the final to take on either Barcelona or Inter Milan.

‘I believe that Arsenal have the potential to do it [beat PSG],’ the Frenchman told Sky Sports.

‘But of course, once you go to the semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain is a very good team as well.

‘So everybody is excited about it so let’s see and hope.’

Wenger added: ‘The teams that go through to the semi-final, they have some quality.

‘Then, it’s down to the form of the day, to the main players who can show their efficiency on the day.

‘[It is important] that you have no sending off or stupid reactions at some stage.

‘Overall, I believe Arsenal is very solid defensively and, over the two legs that will have a big importance.’

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