Thierry Henry offers Arsenal comeback hope despite ‘superior’ PSG admission

Gunners legend Thierry Henry claims Champions League reversals can happen – and cites PSG overturning a first-leg defeat in the quarter-finals last year before a stunning away win at Barcelona as proof that Arsenal can still reach the final

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has claimed Paris Saint-Germain’s away win at Barcelona in the Champions League last season gives the Gunners hope for the second leg in France. Ousmane Dembele’s early strike at the Emirates Stadium means Mikel Arteta’s side will need to win at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday. to reach the final.

But the French champions lost both of their last two home games in this competition last season as they went out in the semi-finals. PSG went down 2-3 to Barcelona in the first leg of the quarter-finals before Kylian Mbappe inspired a 1-4 away win at the Camp Nou.

And Luis Enrique’s side lost both legs 0-1 in the semi-finals last year.

Henry told CBS Sports: “There is another tie. PSG were much superior, in my opinion, in this match. There are a lot of things that need to change for Arsenal to beat PSG. You never know what can happen.

“I’m thinking of PSG against Barcelona last season. Everyone thought it was over, but they ultimately won the return leg easily.”

READ MORE: Arsenal fans make feelings clear on star’s ‘stupidity’ and demand change for PSG second legREAD MORE: Ousmane Dembele deals fresh Arsenal blow as he breaks silence on injury issue

PSG dominated the first half but Arsenal came into the first leg more when Dembele was replaced by Bradley Barcola after 70 minutes

“As soon as Dembele came off, PSG dropped a bit more,” Henry added. “It was easier for Arsenal to put pressure because Dembele wasn’t coming and getting the ball.

“But, yeah, like I said, you’re still in the tie. Anything can happen.”

French media reports today claim Dembele, who also scored the winner at Anfield, will be fit for the second leg despite getting subbed to protect a hamstring injury.

In the post-match press conference, Enrique admitted: “I don’t know.”

The Spaniard added: “However, I can say one thing I’ve repeated throughout the season: we’re a real team. If Ousmane can play, that’s better. But if he can’t, we’ll see a real team, that’s for sure,”

PSG have never won the Champions League – and lost their only final to Bayern Munich in 2020. And Portuguese midfielder João Neves said “We know very clearly that it’s not over, it’s half time in both games. We did our best, I’m happy. But it’s not yet a party in the changing room because we know there’s one more game.

“A phase of doubt? No, we know that we’re a very good team, that if we put our game together and are focused, it will be the best way to achieve our goals. It’s good to be in this situation.

“You have to know how to suffer, but that’s football.”

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