PSG Edge Arsenal at the Emirates in First-Leg Victory

Paris Saint-Germain continue their impressive run against English opposition in this season’s UEFA Champions League, adding Arsenal to a growing list that already includes Liverpool and Aston Villa. This time, it was a disciplined and composed performance in North London that secured a vital 1–0 away win for Luis Enrique’s side.

Dream Start for PSG

It took just four minutes for the visitors to stun the Emirates crowd. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia darted into the left side of the box and picked out Ousmane Dembélé, whose first-time strike found the bottom corner via the post—an early blow that would prove decisive.

PSG maintained control for most of the first half. By the 36th minute, the Ligue 1 champions had registered six shots to Arsenal’s one, with Gianluigi Donnarumma largely untroubled. Désiré Doué had a golden chance to double the lead, only to be denied by a sharp stop from David Raya.

Arsenal Fight Back but Fall Short

Just before the break, Gabriel Martinelli broke free down the left, but his effort was turned away by the towering Donnarumma. The second half began similarly, with Leandro Trossard testing the keeper from close range—again, PSG’s shot-stopper came out on top.

Mikel Arteta’s men thought they had found an equaliser when Mikel Merino finished off a cleverly worked set-piece, but VAR ruled it out for offside. PSG looked increasingly dangerous on the counter, and Gonçalo Ramos came inches from doubling the lead, only to be denied by the crossbar.

All to Play for in Paris

The 1–0 final scoreline puts PSG in the driver's seat ahead of the second leg at the Parc des Princes. But if the UEFA Champions League has taught us anything, it’s that such slender margins are anything but safe—especially against a team with Arsenal’s attacking talent.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Arsenal - PSG 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Dembele O., 4 (0:1)

Arsenal: Raya; Kiwior; Saliba; Timber J. (White B., 83); Lewis-Skelly; Rice; Odegaard (Nwaneri, 90); Merino; Saka B.; Martinelli; Trossard
Bench: Neto; Setford; Tierney; Zinchenko; Sterling; Kabia; Butler-Oyedeji
Yellow Cards: Trossard 10; Saka B. 43

PSG: Donnarumma G.; Mendes N.; Marquinhos; Hakimi; Vitinha F.; Pacho; Neves J. P. (Zaire-Emery, 89); Fabian Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia; Doue D. (Ramos G., 76); Dembele O. (Barcola B., 71)
Bench: Safonov M.; Tenas; Kimpembe; Lucas Hernandez; Beraldo L.; Mayulu; Lee Kang-in; Mbaye
Yellow Cards: Hakimi 44