Arsenal suffer defeat at the hands of 'matured' PSG in UCL clash

Arsenal suffered a painful defeat at the hands of a “matured” Paris Saint-Germain side in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The only goal of the game was scored by PSG’s in-form forward Ousmane Dembele in the 4th minute.

The goal arrived after PSG were granted far too much time on the ball in the centre of the pitch, allowing Dembele to switch play to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with ease.

The Georgian cut it back after a clever run on Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, allowing the onrushing Dembele, who swept home to break the deadlock.

PSG grabbed an important 1-0 win away to Arsenal in the UCL semi-final first leg at the Emirates (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Gunners were able to hang on in the first half, thanks to some incredible saves from David Raya to deny Desire Doue down low.

The host later had an appeal for a penalty waved away when Mikel Merino fell under a challenge from Joao Neves, though the Portugal midfielder won the ball cleanly.

Arsenal gained a little momentum towards the end of the first half, causing trouble, as a Bukayo Saka cross found Gabriel Martinelli, who rather hit it wide at the back stick.

However, further replays suggested the winger was offside, though he was later denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma at close range after being slipped through by Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arsenal thought they had their leveller, within a minute in the second half, after Rice’s free-kick from wide left found the head of Merino, who nodded past a stranded Donnarumma.

However, after a lengthy VAR check, the Spaniard was judged to have been offside and the goal was chalked off.

Dembele has 45 goal contributions in 45 appearances in all competitions for PSG in the current campaign

Mikel Arteta’s men looked to have found their mojo back at last, as Leandro Trossard came close to equalising soon after, only for Donnarumma to push his low effort wide off the post.

PSG could have put the tie out of sight with a typically flowing move in the final 10 minutes as Bradley Barcola’s one-two with Goncalo Ramos sent the winger through with Raya, but he dragged his effort a little wide.

Ramos then smashed the crossbar seconds later when one long ball over the top left Arsenal’s defence nowhere to be found.

The first leg was brought to a close after five minutes of injury time as the Gunners failed to conjure any significant opportunity.

Aside from the Arsenal tie, it is quite evident how far the Parisians have matured in their approach throughout the season, both domestically and on the European stage.

PSG host Arsenal next week at the Parc de Princes on Wednesday for the second leg, and they are expected to put up a good show to affirm their status as a “mature” team if they are to grab their second final in many years.