PARIS Saint Germain will carry a one-goal advantage into next Wednesday’s second leg at Parc des Princes after Ousmane Dembéle’s early finish rewarded a confident display at Arsenal.
Unfazed by a buoyant home atmosphere, Paris started confidently and soon found their reward, Dembélé arriving in the box to guide in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s low cross in the fourth minute and end a run of five games without a goal in all competitions.
Unsettling Arsenal with their relentless pressing, Paris stayed on the front foot and might have doubled their lead in the 31st minute but for a fine David Raya save from Désiré Doué’s driven effort and the woodwork, which denied Fabián Ruiz after he had collected the rebound.
Arsenal did not go into the break without some encouragement, though, a promising conclusion to the half ending with Gabriel Martinelli forcing a smart Gianluigi Donnarumma save after running on to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s precise through ball.
The hosts maintained that momentum after the break and looked to have capitalised on it when, with the first chance of the half, Mikel Merino headed in Declan Rice’s free-kick, but the Spain international was ruled offside.
Leandro Trossard was the next to threaten, bearing down on goal after Rice had charged upfield and released him, but his left-footed drive was tipped beyond the post by Donnarumma.
Paris successfully stemmed the Gunners’ flow as the second half continued, remaining compact and controlling possession to leave Arsenal frustrated and secure a one-goal advantage ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg, though they would have had a greater cushion had Gonçalo Ramos kept his 85th-minute effort under the crossbar.
Key stats
- Dembélé is the first French player to score in the Champions League semi-finals for Paris. The France forward now has eight goals in nine Champions League appearances since the start of 2025 and seven goals in his last five away matches in the competition.
- Luis Enrique’s side have scored first in six of their last eight Champions League matches.
- This was Paris’ first win against Arsenal at the sixth attempt (D2 L3).
- Paris have won five of their last six away matches in the Champions League (L1).
- The French side have played 97 matches since their last goalless game in the Champions League, a 0-0 draw with Real Madrid in 2015.
- Arsenal were unbeaten in 17 home European matches, stretching back to March 2021, before losing to Paris.
- Aged 18 years 39 days, substitute Ethan Nwaneri is the youngest English player to make a Champions League semi-final appearance. Team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly (18 years and 125 days) set a new record at kick-off but it only lasted until the 90th minute, when Nwaneri replaced Martin Ødegaard.
