PSG Edge Arsenal 1-0 as Dembélé's Rapid Strike Steals Spotlight in Champions League Semifinal

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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PSG Strike Early and Stun Arsenal in Champions League Clash

Things got electric at the Emirates just minutes after kickoff. Paris Saint-Germain wasted no time announcing their intentions, and it was Dembélé who made the statement. In the fourth minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia broke free down the wing, cut inside, and whipped a smart low cross across the face of goal. Dembélé sprinted in, side-footed the ball with confidence, and sent Emirates fans into stunned silence. That goal not only gave PSG the lead, but also snapped Dembélé’s frustrating five-match drought in the competition and notched his 11th Champions League strike this season — a number that puts him among Europe’s most prolific.

From that point, PSG looked in total control. Luis Enrique’s men seemed to have brought the ball with them from Paris, keeping 76% of possession in a first half that saw Arsenal penned into their own half for long stretches. Every time Arsenal tried to string passes together, PSG’s midfield hunted them down, snapping into tackles and forcing mistakes. The visitors didn’t allow the Gunners to find their rhythm, and David Raya was called into action a couple of times just to keep his team afloat before the break. By halftime, Mikel Arteta’s side looked frustrated and short of answers.

Arsenal Rally Falls Short as Donnarumma Stands Tall

After the interval, Arsenal came out with new energy. It took just two minutes for the hosts to think they’d found a way back. Mikel Merino, always a threat in the air, rose highest to head in what looked to be the equalizer. But celebrations were cut short when a lengthy VAR review caught a tight offside in the buildup. That call deflated the stadium, but Arsenal had finally cracked open PSG’s armor.

Then it turned into the Gianluigi Donnarumma show. The Italian keeper reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the best. Leandro Trossard tested him with a fierce shot from close quarters after a sharp Arsenal move, but Donnarumma sprawled across goal to make a vital stop. Arsenal kept pushing, ramping up the pressure, and started to find spaces that simply weren’t there in the first half.

While Arsenal looked hungry, PSG still posed a real threat on the break. Late in the game, Bradley Barcola hit the crossbar after a flowing PSG counterattack, leaving Arsenal off the hook. Moments later, Gonçalo Ramos had a clear sight of goal but dragged his shot wide, another example of PSG’s night of near-misses beyond their single goal. A second goal would have given everyone in Paris a sense of comfort heading home, but it wasn’t to be.

As things stand, Arsenal have plenty to do in the second leg. This is their first Champions League semifinal since 2009, and reaching the final—only their second ever—will mean flipping the script in Paris. But there’s life in this Arsenal team, especially after their gutsy second-half showing. PSG, meanwhile, have one foot in the final but know the job isn’t finished. Both sides head to Paris on May 7 with plenty still left to settle. Whoever comes through faces a massive night in the final against either Inter Milan or Barcelona. The tension is only rising.