The Arsenal player who could be pivotal in PSG Champions League clash and it’s not Bukayo Saka
Gabriel Martinelli may have a big role to play over two legs of the Champions League semi-final against PSG if Achraf Hakimi continues to show a worrying defensive pattern.
Arsenal ’s skilful left-winger may be in for an enjoyable two games against the Moroccan who has been dribbled past more than any other player in the competition so far.
Hakimi has been beaten on 22 occasions in 14 matches, four more times than the next highest player remaining in the competition - Barcelona’s Pedri.
This could be an avenue that Mikel Arteta chooses to try and exploit as Arsenal look to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
The Parisiens, despite their wealth of attacking talent and depth, have looked open at times during their run to the semi-finals and were fortunate not to have conceded more at Villa Park in the quarter-final second leg.
Manager Luis Enrique could not limit the number of Aston Villa attacks in the second half, with Hakimi and his fellow defenders struggling to cope with the pace of Villa in the second half.
Martinelli, who is line to start when PSG visit the Emirates Stadium, on Tuesday night, has had a poor season in terms of attacking output in the Champions League, scoring just twice in 11 appearances.
However, one of those goals came in the second leg against Real Madrid in the quarter-final and his pace and trickery could prove a problem for Hakimi who is much more comfortable going forward.
The right-back has racked up 18 goal contributions (six goals and 12 assists) in all competitions this season and, in tandem with Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, will provide Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly with a problem of their own defensively.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreMikel Arteta will be asking his wingers to get at the PSG back-line in their Champions League semi-final clash | Source: Football London
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