Arsenal's hopes of winning the Champions League could rest on exposing the 'vulnerable' and 'feeble' Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, according to former Gunners shot stopper Graham Stack. After sealing their first Premier League title in 22 years this week, Arsenal’s focus will now shift to their showdown with the defending European champions in Budapest on Saturday 30 March.
PSG thrashed Inter Milan in last year’s final and demonstrated the extent of their strengths across two legs against Bayern Munich last month. In Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, PSG have perhaps the most formidable attacking unit in Europe with the outstanding Vitinha setting the tempo in midfield alongside Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz.
Luis Enrique’s side put on a scintillating show of attacking football in the semi-first leg in a thrilling 5-4 victory in the first leg before shutting down the opposition with a resilient rearguard performance away in Germany in the second with Willian Pacho and Marquinhos winning the plaudits that night. PSG have world class talent across the pitch but are perhaps weakest in goal.
The club signed Lucas Chevalier from Lille last summer, paving the way for Gianluigi Donnarumma to join Manchester City. Chevalier lost his place in the starting XI in January however and while a hamstring injury has kept him out of the picture in recent weeks, Safonov has been as Enrique’s no1 choice in goal, starting every match in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Stack however believes he is a major weak link in an otherwise fearsome PSG line-up. The Gunners’ defence has been the foundation of their success this season with their threat from set pieces well-documented. Stack, part of the 'Invincibles' Arsenal squad that last won the league in 2003-04, believes Safonov 'has a mistake in him', urging his old side to put him under 'severe pressure' at the earliest opportunity.
'From what I’ve seen, I’m not being convinced,' Stack told Metro. 'There were moments over the two-legs against Bayern where he showed signs of vulnerability, certainly when balls were coming in the box. I think he has got a mistake in him. From what I’ve seen, I think he’s one of the weakest links in that group. If I was Arsenal, I would be putting him under severe pressure, certainly from set plays, which Arsenal are very, very good at.'
'So balls in the box, when he’s put under pressure, from what I’ve seen, he looks very, very vulnerable. Physically, he doesn’t have a great presence either. When I look at him, he looks quite slim, and a bit lanky, and a bit feeble. And it doesn’t look like he’s got a great presence in the goal. So I would definitely try and isolate him and put him under pressure from set plays, and get the ball in the box as much as possible.'
Arsenal meanwhile will be hoping for another big night from their goalkeeper David Raya. The Spaniard has enjoyed an outstanding season with Stack insisting he will be the difference-maker on the night. 'If Raya plays well, or if Raya continues his form, which he’s been in, he gives Arsenal every chance to go and win the Champions League, without a question,' Stack said. 'And I just think it’s the belief he instils throughout the team as well. I think they’re so assured and so confident when they’re behind him. What he brings to the team from that psychological point of view, he’s proven, and he’s been so consistent.'
'You look behind you, you’ve got Raya in goal, you’re thinking to yourself, I’m really confident we can get a result today if he’s on form. Because PSG are going to create chances. You saw them against Bayern, when they’re at it, they’re free-flowing, they will create chances, doesn’t matter who they’re playing against.'
