Arsenal’s Champions League ambitions suffered a setback as Ousmane Dembele’s early strike secured a 1-0 win for Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Dembele struck just over three minutes into the match, finishing a well-worked move that began with a surging run through midfield.
After exchanging passes with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the French winger fired a left-footed effort that bounced in off David Raya’s post, silencing the home crowd.
Arsenal struggled to respond, spending much of the opening half chasing shadows.
Kvaratskhelia was a constant threat and had a penalty appeal waved away after a tussle with Jurrien Timber, while PSG nearly doubled their lead through Desire Doue, only for Raya to produce a superb save.
Despite growing into the game late in the first half, with Gabriel Martinelli denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma, Arsenal lacked composure and missed the presence of the suspended Thomas Partey in midfield.
The hosts thought they had equalised just moments into the second half when Mikel Merino headed in from a Declan Rice free-kick, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside by the finest of margins.
Arsenal’s best remaining chance came through Leandro Trossard, but Donnarumma once again came to PSG’s rescue.
PSG remained dangerous on the counter, with Goncalo Ramos hitting the crossbar and Bradley Barcola narrowly missing a second late on.
Mikel Arteta’s side will now need to overturn the deficit in Paris next week to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
