PSG will take a 1-0 lead back to Paris for the second leg of their Champions League tie against Arsenal. In truth, it could have been more. We analyse how they overcame Mikel Arteta’s side.
After one of their most complete performances of the season, Paris Saint-Germain will take a slender 1-0 lead back to the Parc des Princes for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Arsenal. In truth, it could have been more.
Ousmane Dembélé’s fourth-minute strike – his 25th goal of 2025 – was the difference on the night, but Luis Enrique’s side were superior for long spells. Arsenal created chances of their own – Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both went close, while Mikel Merino had a goal ruled out for offside – yet PSG also spurned golden opportunities. Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos both missed late chances that could have put the tie to bed.
That PSG emerged as deserved winners at the Emirates – where Arsenal have been almost untouchable this season – speaks to their performance. This was just the third time in 29 home games this season that Arsenal failed to score and it was only their third home defeat across all competitions this campaign. It was also the first time they’ve not scored at home in the Champions League since February 2016, when they lost 2-0 to Barcelona.
Despite a raucous atmosphere, Arsenal started sluggishly. For the first 30 minutes, they were chasing shadows. On the ball, they were imprecise, seemingly unable to establish any rhythm or sustain possession.
The data backs that up. Arsenal’s first-half passing accuracy was just 80.1%, their fourth-lowest figure in any game this season, as they completed just 121 passes in the opening period. That figure had not really improved by full-time, with the home side finishing with an overall passing accuracy of 81.7% – well below their season average of 88%.
A lot of that had to do with the way PSG pressed. Luis Enrique’s side have been relentless out of possession this season – among teams to reach the knockout stages, they’ve averaged the most shot-ending high turnovers per game (2.5), and only Bayern Munich (12.5) have forced more high turnovers per match than PSG’s 10.5.
From the first minute, PSG set the tone.
Dembélé applies pressure on David Raya, who nudges the ball forward to Jakub Kiwior. The Pole is a great defender, but less comfortable on the ball than some of his teammates. The ball gets away from him under pressure and he is forced to poke the ball forwards, hoping it will find a red shirt.
Just look at how many PSG shirts swarm over his loose touch and the destination of his errant pass. There are more PSG players in Arsenal’s half within the first two minutes of game than Arsenal players.
That level of bravery and intensity, particularly as the away team in a Champions League semi-final, was outstanding. The below photo shows their aggressive out-of-possession setup.
Arsenal clearly missed Thomas Partey’s presence in midfield. With Merino and Declan Rice operating deeper than usual, the balance felt off. The very fact that Arsenal’s two most common passing combinations were Raya to William Saliba (13) and Saliba back to Raya (12) shows how little penetration Arsenal enjoyed behind PSG’s press and also how far back towards their own goal they were pushed.
At times, Arsenal looked more threatening when they went long, using Raya’s range to pick out Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in the wide areas. That direct approach may be something Arteta leans on more in Paris.
PSG were as brave and as bold on the ball as they were off it. Let’s not forgot that Arsenal themselves are a fearsome pressing team.
But the away side retained the ball under pressure so well. Every outfield player looked comfortable receiving passes in tight spaces. Vitinha (50) completed the joint-most passes of any player on the pitch in a Man of the Match performance. Marquinhos (49) was just one pass behind him. Both those players – Vitinha (93.2%) and Marquinhos (92.4%) – lead the Champions League in pass completion under pressure for their respective positions this season.
The composure that courses through this team was epitomised in the build-up to the only goal of the game. With Arsenal pressing high, PSG calmly recycled possession, inviting pressure before slicing through the hosts centrally.
The move featured 26 passes – PSG’s longest passing sequence for a goal on record in the Champions League (since 2003-04), and also the longest build-up to a goal conceded by Arsenal in that time span.
Keeping the ball in tight spaces is not just the role of defenders or midfielders – although they typically do a lot of that passing work. It relies on intelligent movement from the attackers, too.
Dembélé, nominally PSG’s central forward, regularly dropped into midfield to receive the ball. He did just that in the build-up to the goal, after playing the same role in a similar move against Liverpool earlier in the competition.
His touch map shows just how often he drifted into deeper areas. Arsenal’s centre-backs were reluctant to follow him into midfield, and he exploited that space expertly.
Even with PSG’s level of performance, Arsenal still created their chances. They are a great team themselves.
The visitors needed their goalkeeper to deliver – and Gianluigi Donnarumma did exactly that. The Italian made two crucial saves to deny Martinelli and Trossard. Those were two of five saves overall – his joint-most in a Champions League match this season. It was the most saves made by a PSG keeper without conceding in a Champions League knockout game since records began in 2003-04.
It’s not the first time Donnarumma has delivered in the Champions League this season, having previously come to the rescue against Liverpool and Aston Villa. Once again, his interventions proved vital.
Clearly, something went wrong in the first half for Arsenal. Arteta revealed post-match that he made a tactical adjustment midway through the first half to help wrestle back some control. While he didn’t elaborate, it was evident Arsenal improved slightly after their chaotic start.
Given how good PSG were and the late chances they missed to extend their lead, Arteta may not be too unhappy with a 1-0 deficit. Arsenal are still very much in the tie – and they will head to Paris next week with the chance to turn things around.
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