Many Arsenal fans left the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night feeling hopeless after a 1-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. The disappointment was palpable, as if the tie was already over.

However, Mikel Merino was one of the first to offer a different, hopeful message: “With all due respect, I believe we will win the return leg.”

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, also emphasized after the match: “We are only halfway through this tie; the job is not done yet.” The second leg will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at Parc des Princes.

Arteta believes that Arsenal, no matter what happens, will have opportunities in the second leg against PSG. Additionally, Thomas Partey, Arsenal’s key midfielder, will return to the squad after serving his suspension.

Partey’s return will bring more stability to Arsenal’s midfield and improve the team’s structure. This will allow Declan Rice to play in a different role, one where he excelled in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid. The change will also benefit Martin Ødegaard, the team captain who had a poor performance in the first leg against PSG. Partey could also play a crucial role in containing Ousmane Dembélé, who was substituted in the 70th minute of the first leg due to a hamstring issue, though his injury does not appear serious.

Arsenal knows PSG is not invincible. Nice ended PSG’s unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season (with a 3-1 win at Allianz Riviera). Aston Villa defeated PSG 3-2 in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Additionally, although Liverpool lost to Luis Enrique’s side on penalties in the Round of 16, they won 1-0 at Parc des Princes in the first leg. Atlético Madrid also secured a 2-1 victory at the same stadium in the group stage.

While every match is different, Arteta will undoubtedly analyze these results carefully. Arsenal themselves have secured big away wins in the Champions League this season: a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the quarterfinal second leg, a 5-1 thrashing of Sporting CP in the group stage, and a stunning 7-1 win against PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16 first leg. Arsenal also defeated PSG 2-0 at the Emirates in the group stage back in October.

Mikel Merino once again confidently stated: “Our team is full of confidence and energy for the second leg, with a strong motivation to win for our fans and for ourselves.”