The performance of a Premier League football rival is giving Arsenal cause for optimism ahead of their first appearance in the Champions League semi-finals since 2009

They will play Paris Saint-Germain in the last four after wrapping up a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid.

PSG overcame Aston Villa in their quarter-final, but the latter won the second leg 3-2.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice says that hinted at a degree of vulnerability.



Arsenal beat PSG 2-nil in group action.

The other semi-final features Barcelona and Inter Milan - the latter drew 2-all with visiting Bayern Munich to claim a 4-3 win on aggregate.