Paris Saint-Germain took a crucial step toward their first UEFA Champions League final since 2020 after edging Premier League side Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. The lone goal of the tightly contested match came early courtesy of France international Ousmane Dembele, whose clinical finish was enough to hand the French champions a hard-fought advantage ahead of the return leg in Paris.
It took just four minutes for Dembele to make his presence felt. Picking up the ball near the centre circle, the former Barcelona winger initiated a swift counterattack, laying the ball off to Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Kvaratskhelia, who terrorised Arsenal’s backline throughout the game, took on Jurrien Timber with purpose and returned a well-timed pass to Dembele, who had continued his run into the box. Dembele made no mistake with the finish, driving his effort in off the far post to silence the home crowd and give PSG an early lead.
The French giants, who had previously knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa in the knockout stages after a dramatic group stage comeback against Manchester City, looked sharp and organised under Luis Enrique’s guidance. Unlike their visit to North London in October—when they lost 2-0 without Dembele due to internal disciplinary measures—this time, the Ligue 1 side appeared far more balanced and decisive in key moments.
Despite the setback, Arsenal, who had dismantled defending champions Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate to book their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2009, attempted to mount a response. The Gunners, who were unbeaten in their last 17 home European fixtures before Tuesday night, struggled to replicate the intensity and attacking fluidity that saw them breeze past Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Manager Mikel Arteta had earlier called the club’s Champions League journey a “beautiful story,” and the Emirates was buzzing with anticipation ahead of kick-off. Declan Rice’s rallying cry in the tunnel—“if we don’t have the ball, we die”—reflected the urgency in the camp. Arteta also addressed the fans through a pre-match video message on the stadium screens, urging them to create a hostile atmosphere for the visitors.
PSG, however, remained unfazed. Marquinhos came close to doubling the lead with a header from an Achraf Hakimi cross that lacked the power to trouble David Raya. Kvaratskhelia then had a strong penalty appeal turned down after a tussle with Timber inside the area, while Dembele nearly turned provider when his pass set up Desire Doue, whose low strike forced Raya into a sharp save.
Arsenal’s best opportunity of the first half came just before the interval when teenage midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly threaded a sublime through ball to Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian winger’s strike was met by a brilliant save from PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who denied what would have been a crucial equaliser.
The second half began with a surge from the home side. Spain international Mikel Merino appeared to have levelled the scores when he headed home from a Rice set-piece. But after a brief VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, cutting short Arsenal’s celebrations.
With momentum now swinging in favour of the Gunners, they pushed for an equaliser. Leandro Trossard came agonisingly close after being slipped through by Rice, only for Donnarumma to make another crucial intervention. PSG responded by slowing the tempo, aiming to frustrate their hosts and preserve their lead.
The visitors could have made it 2-0 late on but squandered two golden chances. Substitute Bradley Barcola waltzed past Arsenal’s defence but dragged his shot wide with just Raya to beat, drawing visible frustration from coach Luis Enrique. Moments later, Goncalo Ramos smashed a close-range effort against the crossbar in what was arguably the clearest opportunity of the night.
As the final whistle blew, PSG celebrated a job well done, knowing they carry a slender but vital lead into the decisive second leg at the Parc des Princes on May 7. Arsenal, though wounded, remain in the tie and will look to summon their best once more as they attempt to overturn the deficit and reach their first-ever Champions League final.
