Arsenal have all of it to do in the event that they need to attain the Champions League last after Ousmane Dembele’s early aim handed PSG a 1-0 victory on the Emirates Stadium.
PSG made a blistering begin by means of Dembele earlier than world-class saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma to disclaim Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard stored the Gunners at bay.
It was a irritating evening for Arsenal, who noticed Mikel Merino’s header dominated out for offside, with the followers venting their fury at referee Slavko Vincic at half-time and full-time, but it surely may have been even worse for the north London facet had PSG taken one in every of two clear-cut probabilities within the closing levels.
Mikel Arteta’s facet now face an uphill job in subsequent week’s second leg in Paris as they give the impression of being to maintain alive their dream of a primary Champions League success within the membership’s historical past.
“We’re going to must do one thing particular in Paris,” Arteta mentioned. “We’ve got to go to Paris and win the sport. We’re greater than able to doing it.
“It is half-time and we’ve a giant likelihood to be within the last.”
He added: “We’re disenchanted with the consequence. We put a lot into the sport.
“The primary 10 or quarter-hour, we struggled to get momentum and to get the dominance we wished. However, apart from that, there wasn’t something other than the aim. It is a very particular person second that issues at this degree.
“After that, the staff went higher and higher and it is disappointing to not get a draw a minimum of.”
PSG present class however tie not useless for Arsenal
Arteta requested the Arsenal followers to convey the noise, they usually actually did that, however PSG silenced the Emirates early on. Dembele began the transfer, charging ahead earlier than selecting out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who breezed previous Jurrien Timber with ease. The Georgian returned the ball to Dembele and, in acres of house, he discovered the online through the within of the far put up to complete a 26-pass transfer.
It was a nervy begin from Arsenal and PSG didn’t want a second invitation to proceed to place the house facet underneath strain. The guests took full management of the sport with Arsenal struggling for any form of rhythm.
The probabilities stored coming for PSG as Arsenal’s frustration grew. David Raya needed to be alert to maintain out Marquinhos’ header earlier than making a brilliant save low all the way down to his proper to disclaim Need Doue. The rebound got here out to Fabian Ruiz, whose shot hit each posts with the ball staying out, though the offside flag ultimately went up.
Luis Enrique’s facet struggled to maintain their relentless tempo up and it allowed Arsenal to get a foothold again into the competition. Jakub Kiwior’s header was simply saved by Donnarumma, however the Gunners began to construct some momentum.
Bukayo Saka’s cross simply evaded Martinelli on the far put up earlier than the Brazilian ahead was brilliantly denied by Donnarumma after being performed in behind the PSG defence.
The Arsenal followers made their emotions identified in the direction of the referee, they usually have been as soon as once more pissed off by the officers when Merino’s ‘equaliser’ straight after the break was dominated out by VAR for offside.
Nonetheless, Arsenal’s momentum continued as Declan Rice powered ahead on a trademark run. He performed Trossard in on aim however the Belgium worldwide was brilliantly denied by one other large hand from Donnarumma.
Arsenal used the slogan ‘make it occur’ earlier than the sport however they may not discover a manner by means of a cussed PSG defence.
In the long run, the Gunners have been fortunate to maintain the deficit to 1 as substitute Bradley Barcola pulled a shot large when by means of on aim, whereas Goncalo Ramos’ late effort beat Raya however rattled off the crossbar in an enormous let off for the Gunners.
Arteta: Disappointing to not get a minimum of a draw
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta to Amazon Prime:
“We’re disenchanted with the consequence. We put a lot into the sport.
“The primary 10 or quarter-hour, we struggled to get momentum and to get the dominance we wished as a result of we’re very environment friendly after we regain the ball and the place we gained it prompted us a couple of points.
“However, apart from that, there wasn’t something other than the aim. It is a very particular person second that issues at this degree.
“After that, the staff went higher and higher and it is disappointing to not get a draw a minimum of.”
Luis Enrique: We confirmed the staff we’re
PSG boss Luis Enrique to Amazon Prime:
“Feelings are doubled in this sort of match and it is troublesome to analyse a match like that.
“Very troublesome to play. It was an amazing ambiance however we confirmed the sort of staff we’re.
“We attempt to play in our manner and scored the primary aim within the first two or three minutes paying the best way we attempt to play.
“I am completely satisfied, we suffered typically, and we may have scored the second aim, however there’s nonetheless a second match and it should be very shut.”
Arsenal dwell to struggle one other day
Evaluation from Sky Sports activities’ Zinny Boswell at Emirates Stadium:
“You would sense the frustration emanating across the Emirates when the ultimate whistle sounded.
“Arsenal created sufficient to a minimum of draw the sport, however they go to Paris subsequent week a aim down. They’ve given themselves an enormous job to show this tie round.
“The distinction between the 2 groups, who each needed to defend for his or her lives at instances, was finally the standard of Dembele’s strike after 4 minutes. It was a 26-pass transfer from PSG, who’ve now overwhelmed Liverpool, Aston Villa, Man Metropolis and Arsenal this season.
“Arsenal’s forwards could not ship regardless of their staff dominating for longer spells within the second half and having extra probabilities.
“Donnarumma, after all, produced one of many saves of the season to maintain out Trossard, however they are going to be very disenchanted by the best way they performed within the last third, significantly when it was clear they’ve the standard to harm PSG.
“The constructive is that Arsenal do dwell to struggle one other day. They’ve a giant job forward however not an unimaginable one subsequent week in Parc des Princes.”
What’s subsequent for Arsenal and PSG?
Arsenal journey to France for the return leg towards PSG subsequent Wednesday on the Parc des Princes.
However earlier than that, the Gunners host Bournemouth within the Premier League’s late afternoon kick-off on Saturday, dwell on Sky Sports activities, whereas PSG head to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 earlier on the identical day.
The Champions League last takes place on Saturday Could 31 on the Allianz Area in Munich, with the winner of this semi-final tie taking over both Barcelona or Inter Milan.
