LONDON — Ousmane Dembélé handed Paris Saint-Germain a vital UEFA Champions League benefit by scoring the one objective in a 1-0 semifinal first-leg win towards Arsenal on the Emirates on Tuesday.
Dembélé, who gave PSG an damage scare by limping off within the second half, now has 45 objective involvements in 45 video games this season, and his strike right here makes Luis Enrique’s crew robust favorites to succeed in the ultimate in Munich.
However with Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos each lacking clear possibilities to attain a second within the last 5 minutes, PSG let Arsenal off the hook to make sure that the Premier League facet can journey to Paris with the hope of a second-leg comeback.
The Gunners had a second-half Mikel Merino objective dominated out for offside and noticed PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma make essential saves from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to disclaim the house facet a objective.
Though PSG maintain a slight benefit, their failure to attain a second objective means the second leg continues to be alive. — Mark Ogden
Dembélé exhibits Arsenal what they’re lacking: a medical ahead
Merino has accomplished a more-than-passable job of filling in at heart ahead for Arsenal following season-ending accidents to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
However Thomas Partey‘s suspension pressured Merino again into his orthodox midfield function as Trossard performed by means of the center, his greatest second coming when forcing an excellent save from Donnarumma 11 minutes into the second half.
Dembélé took his objective brilliantly, discovering the online through David Raya‘s left-hand publish with the type of medical ending that marks him out as considered one of Europe’s greatest. In actual fact, there’s a case to argue proper now that he’s Europe’s greatest: Dembélé’s twenty fifth objective is probably the most by a participant in Europe’s prime 5 leagues throughout all competitions in 2025.
Arsenal’s resolution to not pursue a deal for a striker final summer time or with extra vigor in January — when having one bid rejected by Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins — may arguably be the defining second in explaining why they fell brief in difficult Liverpool for the Premier League title.
They’re 90 minutes away from going through the identical argument in Europe. — James Olley
PSG declare one other win over Premier League opposition
Paris Saint-Germain would possibly be capable of make a late declare for the Premier League trophy after edging nearer to the Champions League last by beating a fourth English crew on this season’s competitors.
Luis Enrique’s crew had already crushed Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Aston Villa on the way in which to assembly Arsenal of their semifinal tie, though an October assembly with the Gunners within the league part resulted in a 2-0 defeat for the French champions on the Emirates.
PSG made amends for that loss, nonetheless, by taking an early lead by means of Dembélé’s fourth-minute objective after which holding onto their benefit to seal a 1-0 first-leg win. However all just isn’t misplaced for Arsenal as they put together to journey to Paris for the second leg on Might 7.
Whereas Metropolis and Villa have been well-beaten within the Parc des Princes, Liverpool emerged with a 1-0 away win within the French capital of their round-of-16 tie, solely to lose at residence after which be eradicated on penalties at Anfield.
Arsenal should now emulate the newly topped Premier League champions by profitable in Paris — towards a crew that loves beating English groups. — Ogden
Time to present Luis Enrique the respect he deserves
While you consider the nice Barcelona Champions League-winning groups from the final decade, you mechanically envisage Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Pep Guardiola.
However whereas Guardiola guided Barca to Champions League glory in 2009 and 2011, it was Luis Enrique’s crew that secured a treble by beating Juventus within the last in Berlin in 2015, and so they did it in simply as a lot fashion as Guardiola’s facet.
Luis Enrique’s crew was arguably much more devastating going ahead than Guardiola’s facet, having added Neymar and Luis Suárez to the entrance line, however there isn’t a doubt that PSG’s supervisor doesn’t get the plaudits that Guardiola receives.
But with PSG, he has constructed one of the crucial thrilling groups on this planet after making it clear to the membership’s homeowners that it needed to be on his phrases, even when it meant constructing with out superstars resembling Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
Luis Enrique has put his religion in youth and approach, and PSG are actually the eye-catching, efficient crew in world soccer. If he guides PSG to their first Champions League title subsequent month, he’ll need to emerge from Guardiola’s shadow as soon as and for all. — Ogden
Kvaratskhelia outshines Saka
There have been many subplots in Arsenal’s quarterfinal win over Actual Madrid, and outstanding amongst them was whether or not Bukayo Saka is able to be part of Europe’s elite wingers who routinely compete for the Ballon d’Or. Saka outshone Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo in each video games, and right here he was pitched towards Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger who has lit up PSG’s run to their fourth semifinal in six seasons.
It was no contest within the first half. Kvaratskhelia did one thing not many opponents handle — make Jurriën Timber look a really strange defender — and his help for Dembélé’s opener was simply considered one of a number of events wherein he threatened to wreak havoc down Arsenal’s proper facet.
Saka, who had simply 4 touches within the opening 20 minutes, got here infield to get extra concerned as the primary half wore on, and it was no coincidence that Arsenal started to evoke themselves when he was at his most influential.
But Saka was unable to have an effect on the sport as he would have favored, and he’s considered one of a number of Arsenal gamers — together with the unusually quiet Martin Ødegaard — who might want to up their degree in Paris subsequent week. — Olley
PSG’s power in depth no match for Arsenal’s lack of choices
Blame it on accidents or the choices made in squad-building final summer time (or each), however Arsenal’s lack of choices to show this recreation of their favor have been uncovered by PSG right here.
Whereas the guests launched Bradley Barcola — a €45 million signing from Lyon in 2023 — and Gonçalo Ramos — an €80m acquisition from Benfica — the Gunners had 4 academy graduates on the bench. Admittedly, that included Ethan Nwaneri, the 18-year-old having fun with a breakthrough season, however he was sat alongside Raheem Sterling, whose mortgage from Chelsea has been nothing in need of a catastrophe; Kieran Tierney, who will be part of Celtic on a free switch this summer time; and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is obtainable for a switch on the finish of the season.
Because it was, Arteta opted to introduce Ben White for Timber till throwing on Nwaneri in stoppage time. There’s nonetheless an opportunity for Arsenal to show this tie round, however a outcome like this may improve the sensation {that a} lack of squad depth may show their undoing.
Partey will return for the second leg after serving a one-game ban, and his presence was undeniably missed, most clearly for the objective when Nuno Mendes‘ good infield go to Dembélé carved Arsenal open by means of midfield. — Olley