Dembele gives PSG first-leg lead
Arsenal 0 - 1 PSG
Arsenal must come from behind if they are to reach the Champions League final, after Ousmane Dembele's early goal gave Paris Saint-Germain a first-leg advantage at the Emirates Stadium.
Author - DJ
Stadium - Emirates Stadium
Dembele struck just four minutes in, sweeping a low finish past David Raya after being picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The goal capped a dominant opening spell from the visitors, who pressed high and carved out further chances, including a strong effort from teenager Desire Doue that Raya did well to stop.
Once again, PSG were indebted to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper, who produced key performances in earlier rounds against Liverpool and Aston Villa, was in commanding form, denying Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with sharp saves either side of half-time.
Arsenal grew into the contest and thought they had equalised when Mikel Merino headed in from a Declan Rice free-kick, but a lengthy VAR review ruled the goal out for offside. While the hosts continued to push, PSG remained compact and dangerous on the counter.
Late chances to extend the lead came and went for Luis Enrique’s side. Substitute Bradley Barcola pulled a shot wide, and Goncalo Ramos was unlucky to see his effort come back off the bar.
A closer look at what happened on a fascinating night in North London
The evening had begun with high expectations, as a spectacular light show roused the crowd before kick-off. That sense of occasion was quickly deflated when Dembele broke through so early, and for a time Arsenal looked stunned by PSG’s intensity.
To their credit, the hosts steadied themselves and responded with energy and commitment. Yet Bukayo Saka found little room to operate, and when chances did come, they ran into the imposing figure of Donnarumma.
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Martinelli’s one-on-one opportunity was met with a well-timed save, while Trossard’s curling shot was also kept out. Merino’s disallowed goal summed up Arsenal’s night — close, but not quite enough.
Mikel Arteta will point to the team’s previous heroics in Madrid as a reason to believe. However, PSG have shown a greater level of control and consistency in recent weeks, and the return leg in Paris will demand one of Arsenal’s finest European performances if they are to book a place in the final in Munich.
