Arsenal's misfiring in early duels might be enough to hand Champions League final spot to Paris Saint-Germain

The Gunners lost 1-0 at home against PSG on Tuesday, meaning they must win in Paris next Wednesday to have any hope of advancing

LONDON -- For the last two years, the defining trait of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal has been apparent to anyone giving them the most cursory glance. They will absolutely monster the other team in the duels that matter most. That memorable berating Arteta gave his side in the winter of 2022 has wormed its way deep into Arsenal's subconscious. When his players lose a duel, Arteta is upset. Woe betide those who displease their manager.

In almost every game since the arrival of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber — three of the great one-on-one scrappers of this team — Arsenal have executed their out-of-possession plan to a tee. In the middle of the pitch, they prove to be too big, strong, and agile for their opponents. Then the ball goes out to the flanks, and their fullbacks apply the chokehold. This was battle-proven at the very highest level: Arsenal have just locked up Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe after all.

For a quarter of the first half of this tie, one of the most powerful out-of-possession sides in the Champions League lost the run of itself. There's a reason why Arsenal talk about the Timber penitentiary. When their right back has locked in this season, no one is escaping. The best left-wingers in Europe would have more success busting themselves out of Alcatraz.