Summary

Live Reporting

Craig Nelson, Ben Ramsdale, Holly Bacon & Sean Byrne. Edited by Murray Burnell.

  1. 'Arsenal midfield was stand-out in both games'

    Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (agg 1-5)

    Matthew Upson
    Former Arsenal defender on BBC Football Daily podcast

    Arsenal's Thomas Partey and Declan RiceGetty Images

    Arsenal didn't waiver at all. Not just around the key instances, but there were good five-minute patches when Real Madrid were applying the pressure, getting the ball wide, winning corners and putting the crosses in.

    It just felt a little more hopeful rather than well-orchestrated from Real Madrid.

    I thought the Arsenal midfield was stand-out in both legs. Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice dominated both games.

  2. If Paris St-Germain have evolved over the season, then it is probably fair to argue that Arsenal have as well, certainly in recent weeks.

    They may have struggled to mount a serious title challenge in the Premier League, partly down to a catalogue of injuries and a lack of attacking options, but necessity has proved to be the mother of invention for manager Mikel Arteta.

    Mikel Merino has clicked perfectly into place as a false nine and the Gunners have found a formation that blends attack and defence well, in the Champions League at least...

  3. Different PSG - same assessment

    Bukayo Saka and Declan RiceGetty Images

    And Mikel Arteta is not alone - key Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are also expecting a tougher test...

    Saka on PSG: "Much different, I see them playing with much more confidence. We will be ready and it will be a very good match."

    On whether Arsenal can win the Champions League, Saka said: "Yes. I like to believe that."

    Arsenal midfielder Rice on PSG: "Top team. We played them once already, but they're a different team to what they were back then."

  4. 'PSG are a different team to what they were in October'

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on facing Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals: "I watched the game last night [v Aston Villa] and it was a crazy game. I know the manager [Luis Enrique] really well, but let's enjoy tonight [after beating Real Madrid]. They're a different team now and they're on an incredible run at the moment."

    Arteta praises Arsenal's 'maturity' after Real Madrid victory

  5. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thinks that Paris St-Germain will pose a different challenge in the semi-finals...

  6. Arsenal v PSG: The rematch

    Arsenal v PSGGetty Images

    While we are casting our mind back to the league phase, it may seem like a lifetime ago but Arsenal and Paris St-Germain have already met once this season.

    The two faced off at the Emirates back in October with Arsenal notching up a comfortable 2-0 victory.

    First-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were enough to sink the French champions and hand the Gunners their first win of the new Champions League format.

    PSG had their moments, especially when Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves hit the woodwork either side of the break, but the platform for victory was established by a dominant first-half display from Arsenal.

  7. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Interesting to note that three out of the four Champions League semi-final teams finished in the top four of the league phase. If (and it’s a big if) Liverpool had knocked out PSG and subsequently Villa it would have been all of them. It’s only been one season of this format, but the league phase seems a very good indicator for who will be challenging in May.

    Mark, Oxford

  8. Liverpool only top-four seed missing from semi-finals

    Champions League

    Liverpool teamGetty Images

    It seems only yesterday we were having conversations about the Champions League league phase seeming meaningless due to the nature of the games that were cropping up in the knockout stage.

    And yet here we are at the semi-final stage with three of the top four sides left standing.

    So maybe being successful in the league phase did indeed come with its reward.

    Barcelona, Arsenal and Inter Milan finished second to fourth respectively in the league phase and all remain in the competition in the final four.

    Paris St-Germain are the only side remaining that were unseeded after they were able to knock out league phase winners Liverpool on penalties at the last-16 stage.

    Had Liverpool won that penalty shoot-out and subsequently beaten Aston Villa, the four sides remaining in the competition would have been the sides that finished in the top four.

  9. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    As massive as the result was, it's only another stage. Arsenal must get the Ipswich and Crystal Palace games right to prepare for PSG. Fortunately, due to our earlier FA Cup incompetence, and Palace's success there, we have the weekend before the first leg off.

    Martin

  10. Is playing at home in the second leg an advantage?

    The common consensus suggests that it is tougher to play the second leg away from home, but Arsenal showed how it could be done against Real Madrid.

    Paris St-Germain and Barcelona also made it through via that route.

    So what do you think?

    Click thumbs up if you believe playing at home in the return leg is an advantage.

    Click thumbs down if you would rather play at home first.

  11. 'It's such a difficult one to call'

    Theo Walcott
    Former Arsenal forward on MOTD: UEFA Champions League

    We were talking about the full-backs and that's where Arsenal against PSG is going to be won isn't it? The position of Bukayo Saka as well, Nuno Mendes on that side. There's some key battles throughout the whole system there.

    The experiences both have from disappointments in previous years in the Champions League, it's such a difficult one to call. The advantage is with PSG and the second leg away from home will be tough.

    Bukayo Saka celebrates with a finger to his lipsGetty Images

  12. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    I would not like to pick a winner from the four teams left in the Champions League. I could easily go with any one of them.

    Paul

  13. 'We saw PSG be vulnerable against Villa'

    Julien Laurens
    European football expert on Champions League MOTD

    It is a very young Paris St-Germain team. We saw that on Tuesday night. When you switch off in the league [Ligue 1] it is OK because PSG are so much better than everybody else.

    In the Champions League the margin is not so high and they almost paid for it as Villa could have easily comeback. Set-pieces could be a factor.

    We saw PSG be vulnerable against Villa on Tuesday, but I think it will be two really good teams going against each other. The second leg in Paris might give a slight advantage to PSG.

  14. PSG's rollercoaster route to the semi-finals

    Paris St-Germain have, of course, beaten Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa on their way to a Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.

    The Ligue 1 champions have gained many admirers since turning around their form and fortunes following a few poor results at the start of the competition.

    Arsenal handed out a bit of an early lesson at the Emirates in their 2-0 victory over PSG in the league phase, but Luis Enrique's men started to turn a corner with their 4-2 win at home to City.

    After going on to qualify for the knockout stages they enjoyed a 10-0 aggregate win over French rivals Brest in the play-off before beating Liverpool on penalties in the last 16.

    They then laid the foundation for their passage through to the last four with a 3-1 home leg win over Villa, but came very close to elimination in their 3-2 defeat in the return leg on Tuesday...

  15. Who will win the Champions League? - BBC Sport's predictions

    Heather, you are not alone in thinking Paris St-Germain are a level up, when compared to Real Madrid.

    Now the final four has been decided, BBC Sport journalists and pundits have had their say on who will win this year's Champions League.

    Paris St-Germain, Arsenal, Inter Milan or Barcelona?

    The French side appear to be the favourites...

    Desire Doue and Marquinhos celebrateGetty Images

  16. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Having seen PSG, Barca and Real play in the CL this season Arsenal need to go up another level to make the final. The French are the best team I've seen this year, they beat the best in England (Liverpool) and they can afford to rest everyone to be fit, having already won their league. If Arsenal win that, Barca are beatable. Inter maybe less so, but not impossible.

    Heather, Hackney

  17. ICYMI: Why are PSG at home for CL semi-final second leg?

    An image of the inside of the Santiago BernabeuGetty Images

    It's an interesting aside that Arsenal will return to Paris - the city where they suffered defeat in their one and only Champions League final appearance - for the second leg of this season's semi-final.

    The Gunners were one of the eight seeded teams after the conclusion of this year's league phase but faced the unseeded Real Madrid away in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

    Not only that, but they will now face unseeded French champions Paris St-Germain away from home in the second leg of the semi-finals.

    But why?

    In the new format, the privilege of having the second leg on home soil only extends as far as the last-16. The Gunners faced PSV over two legs, the second of which came at the Emirates. Beyond that though, it is purely luck of the draw.

    A randomised draw took place when Arsenal's last-16 opponents were decided and it revealed that Mikel Arteta's men would play both the quarter-final and semi-final at home first.

  18. Can Arsenal right the wrongs of 2006?

    Arsenal players celebrate after beating Villarreal in the 2005-06 Champions League semi-finalsGetty Images

    Barcelona payback Kate?

    Almost 20 years on and you are still out to avenge Arsenal's one and only final defeat?

    For anyone who is not aware of the Gunners' Champions League history, they have twice made the semi-finals before:

    • 2008-09: Lost 4-1 on aggregate to Manchester United
    • 2005-06: Beat Villarreal 1-0 on aggregate

    Arsenal are still waiting for a first Champions League title after Arsene Wenger's side lost the 2005-06 final 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris.

  19. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Arsenal last night showed that we are a force to be reckoned with. I think we can win it, hopefully 2-1 against Barcelona pay back is sweet. Even if we don’t it’s been an incredible run and shows just what this Arsenal team can do. Let’s celebrate the wins and achievements as and when they come.

    Kate, Surrey

  20. 'A lid on the Rice helps it cook better' - fans' verdict on win over Real

    Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (agg 1-5)

    Arsenal

    Daniel: "Are they Tottenham in disguise? What a performance from everyone - Rice in particular. A lid on the Rice helps it cook better. The only downside to this is Saka's penalty. Why would he try the panenka in those circumstances? However, he made up for it by scoring a chip in the second half! Mikel Merino with the double assist - absolutely brilliant as a centre-forward. Love it! On to Ipswich and then Paris! COYG."

    Follow our Arsenal page for fan views, opinion, expert analysis, stats and more