Saliba Fires Warning To PSG Ahead Of Second Clash Between Them And Arsenal

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has rallied his teammates and supporters with a strong message of belief following their 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The Gunners now face a monumental task in the return leg at the Parc des Princes, but Saliba insists the tie is far from over.

Speaking after the match, the French international admitted Arsenal were below their usual standards but remained optimistic about the second leg. “The tie isn’t over, we hope to win at the Parc des Princes,” said Saliba. “We weren’t surprised by PSG, we knew they were a strong team. We got eaten a little at the start, we played badly. We must not give up, a lot of things can happen.”

Saliba, who has been a pillar at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence this season, acknowledged the early dominance of the French champions but praised his teammates for showing resilience later in the match. PSG’s blistering start saw them take control early, with Ousmane Dembélé wreaking havoc in the final third.

“Dembele is everywhere, he’s moving around a lot. It’s difficult to mark him,” Saliba admitted. “We can do better with the first goal. We’ll take the positives and go beat them there.”

Despite the defeat, Arsenal’s performance in the second half showed signs of life. They tightened up defensively, controlled more possession, and created chances that gave them hope. Saliba believes those improvements must now be carried into the second leg if they are to mount a comeback and reach the final in Istanbul.

“We’ll have to show that we have character,” he added. “This team has always responded to adversity, and I know we have what it takes to turn it around.”

Arsenal’s path to this stage has been filled with memorable performances, including their historic win at the Bernabéu earlier in the tournament. Saliba believes those experiences will prove vital heading into the cauldron of the Parc des Princes, where PSG will be expected to finish the job.

Mikel Arteta, speaking separately, echoed Saliba’s confidence and praised the squad’s mental strength. With the second leg on the horizon, Arsenal are counting on their defensive leaders like Saliba to set the tone and help inspire a comeback for the ages.

As the Gunners prepare for one of the most crucial matches in their recent history, Saliba’s words serve as a reminder of the fighting spirit embedded in this Arsenal side. They may be down, but they are far from out. The Champions League dream lives on — and Saliba is ready to lead the charge.