Arsenal to unleash PSG game-changer for Champions League second leg as Mikel Arteta left no choice

Declan Rice knew what was up when he said: "If we don't have the ball we die," in the middle of an Arsenal huddle. It was perfectly balanced with Joao Neves' own interview quote from the same day.

"The less time they have to breathe, the better for us," This was not directly referring to Arsenal but more Paris Saint-Germain's opponents this season in general.

They could not be much further from the luxury PSG sides of the past. The midfield is youthful but energetic and the forwards are all willing to press. "It's very good to attack, but the feeling of taking the ball from your opponent..." gushed Neves.

The contrast between what the two teams were feeling before the game says a lot for how it played out.

. PSG completed 39 at the same stage, including 26 leading up to the goal.

Bukayo Saka was the only Arsenal player outside of David Raya and his defence to have even taken a touch after five minutes. Arsenal's first shot from open play came in the 38th minute. The visitors got to the 100-pass mark at 17 minutes.

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Both goalkeepers were brilliant over the course of the game and managed to keep the score down when there were enough good chances for at least two or three more goals to have been found. That could have turned the tie.

The defences were largely fine as well with no major blips to speak of. Despite conceding opportunities, William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly made crucial contributions to the Arsenal effort. Marquinhos marshalled as always at the back for PSG. Jurrien Timber was run ragged by Kvaratskhelia but did grow into the game. There were good battles all over.

The point of difference was star quality in attack and the blend of talent in midfield. Whereas PSG could call upon Bradley Barcola from the bench and had the most destructive forward in the world up front

PSG were also merciful in their chances but had a goal behind them and home advantage coming up.

. Timber couldn't provide extra support as he was so worried about Kvaratskhelia going the other way.

Leandro Trossard is no striker and it showed.

In midfield they were always up against it too. . He has been a fine deputy for Kai Havertz as No.9 but it is telling that he had struggled to get going in midfield before his demanded position change in February.

Merino's presence is better felt for Arsenal high up the pitch. Between the Ghanaian and Rice, Arsenal have settled on a good thing once more.

They understand each other's movements and are mobile to shut down space or start counterattacks. Without Havertz, being direct in transition has been key for Arsenal and with Partey and Rice they have two excellent ball-winners.

Half of this was lacking on Tuesday. Merino tried but could not add the punch, whilst Odegaard is wildly out of form. It is notable how willing PSG were to letting Arsenal have the ball for much of the second half, trying to pick them off on the break themselves, unfazed by their threat.

Rice still provided his usual tenacity and was huge in the moments that Arsenal did have. He swept up and drove forward. It was his surging run and pass to Trossard which set up one of the best moments of the game for Arsenal.

The other highlights were Myles Lewis-Skelly taking matters into his own hands as well. When stepping into midfield he offered much more than Merino was able to.

After Rice, who made the most passes of anybody on the field, Odegaard only managed 26, and Merino completed 35. PSG's trio of Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and Vitinha managed 40, 41, and 52, respectively.

This does not dictate influence but does tally with what was seen., and Rice, as good as he was, could not make up for his partner's absence.

Arsenal will need him to be at his best because PSG's newfound willingness to run is problematic.

"A lot of players don't get it, but the feeling is: 'We don’t have the ball, so we have to recover it,'" Neves added in his interview. "Even when you are attacking, you have to think: 'If we lose the ball, what can I do?' That part of the game, a lot of people and a lot of players don't think it's important, but if you want to spend more time attacking, you have to recover the ball if you lose it.

"In those five to 10 seconds when you lose the ball, you have to give 100, 120%, because it's the best way to attack again." Arsenal now know this as well as anyone.

"For the team we are playing against, it's very difficult if they recover the ball and then lose the ball. So that part of the game is very satisfying to do."

Partey's suspension was never going to overshadow winning in Madrid or the success over two legs. In hindsight it might have been the most significant few seconds of either game.

Arsenal needed him to get this far and will need him more than ever if they are to progress. He fell afoul of UEFA's suspension rules which now protect players ahead of the final but could not avoid a silly yellow card in a vital tie. That, as much as anything that happened on Tuesday, might cost Arsenal their chances.

If anything can get them back against PSG then it will be Partey's return and the impact that has on Rice and Merino. Arsenal have no other choice.