A year older, but any wiser?

A year ago today, Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal in the return leg of the Champions League semi-finals 2-1 at Parc des Princes and, thanks to a 3-1 triumph on aggregate, advanced to the final, where they demolished Inter Milan 5-0 and won their first-ever UCL crown.

A deja vu awaits on May 30 in Budapest, and apart from the fact that this time the rivals will clash directly for the most valuable piece of silverware in the European club football, and that there will be only one game, no room for error, and no time to make amends, many things will be different.

Compared to the clash played 366 days ago, the Gunners will be evidently stronger. Back then, Mikel Merino was their striker, Thomas Partey was a part of a midfield trio, Myles Lewis-Skelly started on the left flank, while Jakub Kiwior - who officially completed a move to Porto two days ago - played at centre-back alongside William Saliba.

Now, Mikel Arteta's squad has far more depth. There are Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi... But more importantly, Arsenal seem more experienced and better prepared for a match of this magnitude against the European champions.

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Judging by the two rivals' performances in the competition, PSG will be the favourites, but the Gunners mustn't be underestimated. In one game, anything can happen.

The Londoners have already proven that they won't have their spirit broken easily. When everyone thought their Premier League title hopes were over, they rose from the ashes and now control their own destiny again.

They are unbeaten in the UCL, have the best defence in the competition, and know how to play for the result. This Arsenal squad has matured and is ready to take on an ultimate challenge.

Nevertheless, it won't be just Paris Saint-Germain. Based on what we saw last night in Munich, it will be Paris Saint-Germain 2.0. The one that can crush you with brilliant attack, but also frustrate you with a sturdy defence.

When they went for goals, they put five past Manuel Neuer. When they opted for caution, they barely conceded once against one of the most lethal offensive tridents in the world (Luis Diaz, Michael Olise, Harry Kane).

Who said PSG couldn't play defence?

At the moment, they seem capable of everything.

How does one compete with that? That's the question for Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard and his men are a year older now. But are they any wiser?

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SEMI-FINALS

Return leg

Tuesday

Arsenal - Atl. Madrid 1-0 (1-0)

/Saka 45/

Arsenal win 2-1 on aggregate

Wednesday

Bayern Munich - PSG 1-1 (0-1)

/Kane 90+4 - Dembele 3/

PSG win 6-5 on aggregate