Paris Saint-Germain took a significant step toward their first Champions League title with a gritty 1-0 win over Arsenal in the semifinal first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Ousmane Dembele’s early goal proved decisive, setting the tone for a resolute display by the French champions.
Dembele wasted no time in making his mark, scoring just four minutes into the contest. The French winger began the move near the center circle, initiating a sweeping attack with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who tormented Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber before returning the ball to Dembele. The 26-year-old rifled a clinical finish off the far post, silencing the roaring North London crowd.
That early goal was all PSG needed to seize the momentum and dictate much of the first half. “If we don’t have the ball we die,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice roared in the tunnel before kickoff, but his rallying cry seemed to fall short against PSG’s precision and poise.
Marquinhos almost doubled the lead shortly after the opener, meeting Achraf Hakimi’s cross with a powerful header that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya managed to stop. Kvaratskhelia also kept the pressure on, having a strong penalty appeal denied and testing Raya again after outmaneuvering Timber.
Dembele, a constant menace, created another opening for Desire Doue, whose low strike was parried by Raya. Despite being on the back foot, Arsenal came close to levelling before halftime when Gabriel Martinelli was denied by a superb save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, following a clever pass from 17-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Gunners came out firing after the break and thought they had equalised when Mikel Merino headed in from Rice’s free-kick, only for VAR to rule him offside. Arsenal’s intensity grew, with Leandro Trossard nearly finding the net after a piercing run, only to be denied once more by Donnarumma.
Sensing Arsenal’s resurgence, PSG slowed the tempo, aiming to neutralise the hosts. The visitors nearly put the tie to bed when Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos missed golden chances—Barcola shooting wide and Ramos striking the crossbar.
PSG, who had previously overcome Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester City en route to the semifinals, now carry a narrow advantage into the return leg at the Parc des Princes on May 7. Yet, with memories of past European heartbreaks, Luis Enrique’s side will be cautious despite holding the edge.
For Arsenal, their first Champions League home defeat in 18 games is a bitter blow in their quest for a maiden title, but with just one goal separating the sides, Mikel Arteta’s “beautiful story” still has a chapter left to write.
