Arsenal still have Champions League suspension fear as nightmare PSG scenario emerges

Arsenal are three matches away from Champions League glory. If only it was as simple as that.

Having qualified automatically for the knockout stages, before then eliminating PSV Eindhoven and holders Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta's squad have gone deeper in the competition than any time in the last 19 years.

Now, in the semi-final, they have been granted a two-legged test against Paris Saint-Germain, who have proven themselves the bane of English teams this season, having knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Victory over the French giants will secure a place in Munich's grand final against Barcelona or Inter Milan.

As Arsenal proved by defeating Real Madrid - over two meetings - the ingredients to advance are an equal blend of quality, tactical astuteness, spirit and discipline.

That last one was held in particularly high-regard by quarter-final hero Declan Rice on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu as he, along with Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey, walked a suspension tightrope for the last-four.

When the England man was booked for an apparent foul on Kylian Mbappe, while also giving away a penalty, he was distraught. For his sake, it was thankful that referee Francois Letexier overturned his initial decision.

And Rice was later visibly disappointed with Partey, who argued his way into a yellow card by partaking in a spat with Antonio Rudiger.

For accumulating three yellow cards acriss the entirety of the Champions League so far this term, the Ghanaian is now ruled out of the first-leg clash against PSG at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 29.

Rice and those that avoided the same fate can now feel relief as by reaching the last-four of the competition the yellow cards picked up have been reset.

No longer will they count for overtime towards a punishment based on past discretions, nor will bookings in both legs of the semi-final tot up to equal a ban for the final.

But, that does not mean that the Gunners are home and dry if they make the final - there is still one major fear at large for any player in their squad.

Arteta's men will be barred from featuring in the Allianz Arena showpiece if they are found deserving of a straight red card (in either leg against PSG), or if they commit two bookable offences in the second at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, May 7.

That same mix of passion and restraint as shown against Real Madrid is going to be required to eliminate the PSG threat - while also giving Arsenal the best possible foundations to go on and beat whoever they'd plat in the final.

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