Arsenal Set Sights on Gianluigi Donnarumma
Arsenal Set Sights on Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Aerial Achilles’ Heel
Even in Ligue 1, his reluctance to come for crosses has cost PSG, most recently in a shock 3–1 defeat to Nice
Paris Saint-Germain’s No 1, Gianluigi Donnarumma, has long been lauded as one of world football’s finest keepers. Yet ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg on 29 April.
From Euro 2020 Heartache to Club Concerns
Donnarumma first broke English hearts at Euro 2020, saving penalties from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka at Wembley. But this season, cracks have appeared.
In October’s group-stage clash at the Emirates, Donnarumma was beat twice from set-plays: Kai Havertz headed home a Leandro Trossard centre, while Saka’s low free-kick crept beneath him.
🔴 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 29, 2025
🆚 PSG
🕗 8pm (UK)
🏆 Champions League
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Repeated Set-Piece Stumbles
The Italian’s hesitancy under high balls has persisted. In the quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, he failed to claim a crucial corner, allowing Andreas Christensen to nod in the winner.
And in the semi-final return with Dortmund, Mats Hummels rose unchallenged to head Julian Brandt’s corner past him. Even in Ligue 1, his reluctance to come for crosses has cost PSG, most recently in a shock 3–1 defeat to Nice.
Arteta’s Tactical Blueprint
Mikel Arteta has instructed his players to flood the box with crosses and win free-kicks in wide positions. Arsenal’s full-backs and wingers will target the towering but stationary Donnarumma, aiming to capitalise on his awkward judgment of flighted deliveries.
Set-piece focus: More corners and wide free-kicks.
Crossing overload: High balls from Saka, Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Second-ball urgency: Strikers primed to pounce on any loose clearances.
Ball-Playing Blemishes
Beyond aerial frailties, Donnarumma has shown discomfort with the ball at his feet. His attempted passes out of defence have at times lacked conviction, notably gifting Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott a late winner in the last-16 tie and almost conceding in the Nations League with Italy. Arsenal will press him aggressively to force errors and generate attacking transitions.
