{"id":82456,"date":"2025-05-07T17:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T17:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/82456\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T17:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T17:56:09","slug":"rio-ferdinand-hospitalised-and-misses-psg-vs-arsenal-as-tnt-sports-pundit-speaks-out-football-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/82456\/","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand hospitalised and misses PSG vs Arsenal as TNT Sports pundit speaks out | Football | Sport"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rio Ferdinand<\/a> has shared that he will be absent from TNT Sports’ broadcast tonight (Wednesday night) as Arsenal<\/a> travel to Paris Saint-Germain<\/a> in the Champions League<\/a> semi-finals. Arsenal<\/a> visit the Parc des Princes with plenty of work to do if they are to meet Inter Milan<\/a> in Munich for the May 31 final.<\/p>\n

The Gunners trail 1-0 after the first leg, with Ousmane Dembele’s early goal proving to be the difference at the Emirates Stadium last week. Mikel Arteta<\/a>‘s side will believe in a turnaround, though, having beaten reigning champions Real Madrid home and away in the quarter-finals. Despite the monumental occasion in Paris, TNT Sports won’t have their punditry A-team at their disposal.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday evening, just over an hour before the build-up was set to go on air, Ferdinand revealed that he would be missing the match.<\/p>\n

The Manchester United<\/a> icon looked in high spirits as he shared an image from a hospital bed, but he didn’t disclose the reason for his stay.<\/p>\n

He wrote on X: “Gutted to be missing the Semi-Finals this week on @footballontnt<\/a>!! Wishing the team all the best \u2014 I’ll be watching every minute from the iPad!”<\/p>\n

Ferdinand is among those convinced that Arsenal<\/a> can go to PSG and turn the tie around to book their first Champions League final since 2006.<\/p>\n

While looking ahead to the mouth-watering second leg on his podcast, Ferdinand explained<\/a>: “If there is a team who can go to PSG and win, it’s Arsenal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think it’s about ability at this stage, I think it’s about mentality and belief. In Bukayo Saka<\/a>, they’ve got a matchwinner who can turn the game on its head.”<\/p>\n

However, Ferdinand insists that the Gunners’ mentality has to be spot on as they attempt to overthrow the competition’s ultimate entertainers.<\/p>\n

“There are positives there, but if the mindset isn’t right, they will get smoked, I’m telling you,” the 46-year-old added.<\/p>\n

“The problem for Arsenal<\/a> is that PSG are a proper team. I don’t think they’re invincible, but they’ve been the best team in the Champions League.”<\/p>\n

Inter confirmed their place in Munich with a dramatic 4-3 victory against Barcelona at the San Siro on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

The Serie A giants trailed 3-2 (6-5 on aggregate) before Francesco Acerbi’s equaliser in the third minute of five added on at the death.<\/p>\n

Substitute midfielder Davide Frattesi struck in extra-time without reply, sending Inter to their second Champions League final in three years.<\/p>\n