In a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Paris Saint-Germain edged Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal on Tuesday night. The decisive moment came just four minutes in when Ousmane Dembele found the back of the net with a left-footed strike, sending the Parisian fans into a frenzy and leaving the Gunners with a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg in Paris next week.
Kick-off was set for 20:00 BST, and the early goal from Dembele set the tone for a match that saw both teams testing each other’s defenses. Arsenal, fresh off a commanding quarterfinal performance against Real Madrid, struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages, wary of PSG’s quick transitions and attacking prowess.
Despite the early setback, Arsenal began to find their footing, creating several opportunities, particularly from set pieces. Just before half-time, they nearly equalized when Gabriel Martinelli broke through the PSG lines, but Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian goalkeeper for PSG, stood firm and made a crucial save to deny him.
In the second half, Arsenal continued to press, and they thought they had equalized when Mikel Merino headed in a free-kick taken by Declan Rice. However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for offside, much to the dismay of the home crowd. Arsenal’s momentum was palpable, and they had another great chance shortly after when Leandro Trossard found himself one-on-one with Donnarumma, only to be thwarted once again by the PSG keeper’s sharp reflexes.
As the match progressed, PSG managed to regain control and created their own chances. Substitute Goncalo Ramos came close to doubling the lead when he struck the crossbar, while fellow substitute Bradley Barcola pulled a shot wide when he was in a promising position against Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya.
The match ended 1-0, leaving Arsenal with a challenging task ahead of the return leg in Paris on May 7, 2025. The Gunners will need to capitalize on their chances and tighten their defense if they hope to overturn the deficit and reach the final.
PSG’s coach Luis Enrique praised Donnarumma’s performance, highlighting his importance to the team. "Donnarumma is the world’s best goalkeeper, and he showed that tonight with some fantastic saves," Enrique said. However, questions remain about Donnarumma’s vulnerability on set pieces, an area where Arsenal excels. The Gunners have been particularly strong from dead-ball situations, thanks in part to set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who has worked closely with head coach Mikel Arteta.
Throughout the match, Donnarumma’s hesitance under high balls was noted, raising concerns as Arsenal is known for their aerial threat. In their previous league encounter in October 2024, Donnarumma’s inability to command the box led to a goal from Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, a mistake he could not afford to repeat in this critical matchup.
In the lead-up to the match, PSG faced scrutiny after a recent 3-1 defeat to Nice in Ligue 1, where Donnarumma received a disappointing 3-out-of-10 rating from L'Equipe for his performance. The loss was a wake-up call for the team, and they responded with a focused display against Arsenal, showcasing their attacking talent while relying on Donnarumma’s shot-stopping ability.
As the Champions League semifinal progresses, both teams will reflect on their performances. Arsenal will look to rectify their finishing issues, while PSG will aim to solidify their defensive organization, particularly against set pieces. The return leg promises to be an exhilarating encounter, with both teams having everything to play for.
With the stage set for a dramatic second leg, the question remains: can Arsenal overturn the deficit at the Parc des Princes, or will PSG hold firm and secure their spot in the Champions League final against either Inter or Barcelona?
