In a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on April 29, 2025. The match was marked by an early goal from Ousmane Dembélé, who found the back of the net just three minutes into the game, setting the tone for a tightly contested battle.
PSG, coming off their first loss of the season in Ligue 1, fielded a strong lineup under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique. The front line featured Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué, with a midfield trio of Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, and Vitinha. The defensive unit included Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, Pacho, and Marquinhos, with Gianluigi Donnarumma donning the goalkeeper's gloves.
On the other side, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta was forced to adapt his strategy due to the suspension of Thomas Partey, who was replaced by Mikel Merino in the midfield. The Gunners started with David Raya in goal, supported by a backline that included Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, and Jurrien Timber, while their attack was spearheaded by Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
The match kicked off with PSG immediately asserting their dominance. Dembélé's goal came after a brilliant interplay with Kvaratskhelia, as he unleashed a left-footed strike that deflected off the post and past Raya. This marked Dembélé's eighth goal of the Champions League campaign and his 29th of the season, highlighting his critical role in PSG's pursuit of European glory.
Despite the early setback, Arsenal regrouped and began to find their rhythm. They controlled possession for large parts of the match, particularly in the second half, but struggled to convert their chances into goals. The Gunners had a goal disallowed for offside just after halftime, as Merino's header was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check, keeping PSG in the lead.
As the match progressed, Donnarumma emerged as the hero for PSG. The Italian keeper made a series of crucial saves, including a stunning stop against Martinelli in the first half and another against Trossard shortly after the break. His performance was pivotal in maintaining PSG's slender advantage, as he thwarted Arsenal's attempts to level the score.
In the latter stages of the match, PSG had opportunities to double their lead. Substitutes Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos both came close to scoring, but their efforts were either off target or well-defended by the Arsenal backline. Barcola, who replaced the injured Dembélé in the second half, had a particularly notable chance where he scuffed a shot wide when he should have scored.
Despite Arsenal's late pressure and a dominant expected goals (xG) tally of 1.62 to PSG's 1.07, they were unable to find the back of the net. The Gunners' frustrations were compounded by the lack of a finishing touch, as they failed to capitalize on their possession and chances.
Looking ahead, the two teams will meet again for the second leg at PSG's Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025. The stakes will be higher as Arsenal seeks to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the Champions League final, while PSG aims to protect their lead and advance to their first final since 2020. With both teams possessing attacking talent and defensive capabilities, the return leg promises to be an exhilarating contest.
As the final whistle blew, PSG celebrated a hard-fought victory, but the tie remains finely poised. Arsenal will need to respond with intensity and precision in the second leg, while PSG will look to build on their momentum and secure a place in the final. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this Champions League semi-final.
