Paris Saint-Germain took a slender but significant 1-0 advantage in their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie against Arsenal, thanks to an early strike from Ousmane Dembélé and a heroic performance by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, playing in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, now face an uphill battle heading into the second leg in Paris next Wednesday, May 7.
Dembélé Strikes Early
The match exploded into life just four minutes in when Dembélé, the former Barcelona winger, stunned the home crowd with a clinical finish. After a sequence of 26 precise passes, PSG carved open Arsenal’s defense, and Dembélé rifled a shot off the post to give the visitors the lead. The goal, described as “a dagger to Arsenal’s hopes” by CBS Sports, set the tone for a PSG-dominated opening.
Arsenal, caught off guard, struggled to find their rhythm early on. PSG’s high press, led by the dynamic trio of Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué, suffocated the Gunners’ midfield. João Neves, PSG’s 20-year-old Portuguese star, was omnipresent, dictating the tempo and breaking up Arsenal’s attempts to build from the back.
Arsenal Fight Back but Denied by VAR
Mikel Arteta’s side grew into the game after a lackluster start, with Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka testing PSG’s resolve. The second half saw Arsenal pile on the pressure, and they thought they had equalized when Mikel Merino headed home from a Declan Rice free-kick. However, after a tense three-minute VAR review, the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside, leaving Arsenal fans fuming and Merino visibly frustrated.
The Gunners’ woes were compounded by Donnarumma’s heroics. The Italian goalkeeper, standing at 6’5”, made a string of outstanding saves, including a remarkable stop to deny Trossard in a one-on-one situation. “Donnarumma was a wall tonight,” said Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas, noting that PSG’s keeper was the difference.
Missed Chances and Late Drama
PSG had opportunities to extend their lead, with Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos squandering gilt-edged chances in the final stages. Arsenal, meanwhile, threw everything forward, with substitutes Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling injecting energy. Despite five minutes of added time, the Gunners couldn’t find a breakthrough, as Rice’s late free-kick was deflected to safety.
Arteta’s Injury Woes
Arsenal were without key players Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, and the suspended Thomas Partey, which forced Arteta to rely on a depleted squad. While Merino and Jurrien Timber impressed, the absence of Havertz’s goal-scoring threat was felt. PSG, in contrast, fielded a fully fit squad, with manager Luis Enrique rotating key players in their recent Ligue 1 match to ensure freshness.
What’s Next?
The tie remains finely poised, with Arsenal needing at least a one-goal victory in Paris to force extra time. Arteta, speaking post-match, remained defiant: “We’re still in this. We showed we can compete, and we’ll go to Paris with belief.” Enrique, meanwhile, praised his team’s maturity but warned against complacency: “One goal is not enough; we must be ruthless at home.”
The second leg promises to be a thriller, with the winners set to face either Inter Milan or Barcelona in the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31. For Arsenal, it’s a chance to overturn a deficit and reach their first-ever Champions League final. For PSG, it’s an opportunity to move closer to the elusive European crown that has evaded them despite their domestic dominance.
Match Details
- Score: Arsenal 0-1 PSG
- Scorer: Ousmane Dembélé (4’)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Attendance: 60,103
- TV/Streaming: Available on Prime Video (UK) and Paramount+ (US)
- Next Match: PSG vs Arsenal, May 7, 2025, Parc des Princes
Arsenal fans took to social media to express frustration but also hope, with one post on X stating, “We were robbed by VAR, but we’ll show up in Paris!” PSG supporters, meanwhile, celebrated Dembélé’s impact, with one user calling him “the king of clutch.”
As the dust settles, both teams know the battle is far from over. North London’s dreams of European glory now hinge on a monumental night in the French capital.
