In-Depth Match Analysis – Comprehensive Player Ratings – Arteta’s Insights and Reactions – Highlighted Video Clips

Reflecting on a significant match from my past, I vividly recall watching Arsenal face Barcelona in the prestigious Champions League at the iconic Camp Nou. This encounter took place in 1999, during a season when Arsenal had just achieved the remarkable feat of winning the double. However, throughout much of that match, it felt nearly impossible for us to gain possession of the ball, as the technical prowess of our opponents was overwhelming. The experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced against top-tier teams.

Fast forward to present times, and we’ve witnessed Arsenal teams that have struggled against formidable opponents, particularly against Manchester City during their peak performance periods. Yet, it has been a considerable duration since we encountered a team like PSG, which dominated us in the opening stages of last night’s match. To be honest, I was taken aback by the intensity of their play. At one moment, as I glanced at the clock around the 22-minute mark, I thought that if we could survive until halftime with just a 0-1 score, it would be a small victory in itself.

The beginning of the match was nothing short of spectacular for PSG. While we can certainly analyze our own shortcomings, there are instances where we must acknowledge the brilliance of the opposition. This is precisely how I feel about that first half-hour; PSG was exceptional, arguably the strongest team we have faced this season, and that includes the reigning Premier League champions. Their ability to control the game was a stark reminder of the gap we still need to bridge.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as kick-off approached, yet it was momentarily dampened by a pre-game silence that felt somewhat misplaced given the occasion. Some fans attempted to transform the silence into applause, but it quickly faded, leading to a loss of momentum. When PSG found the net just three minutes into the match, it was akin to someone releasing the air from a balloon, leaving us deflated. While I don’t attribute fault to the pre-game silence, I believe it did not serve a useful purpose in energizing the crowd.

The goal itself was executed flawlessly. As PSG maneuvered the ball towards our penalty area, Declan Rice made the decision to double up on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, inadvertently leaving Ousmane Dembele unmarked at the edge of the box. This allowed the French player to slot the ball into the net off the post. There may have been an element of luck involved, as he initially mishit it, causing it to bounce off the ground and through a cluster of defenders before hitting the post. However, it was a goal that certainly did not help our cause. One could argue whether Mikel Merino, having witnessed Rice engage with Timber, could have positioned himself better to assist in defending against the goalscorer.

Following that goal, we appeared somewhat shaken. The ease with which PSG maintained possession left us chasing shadows, with their ability to pass in tight spaces demonstrating a level of control that was demoralizing. They created numerous scoring opportunities, including a header from Marquinhos that was saved by Raya. I personally felt there was a legitimate penalty claim when Timber held Kvaratskhelia in the box. Later, the Georgian forward had a shot that went directly at the keeper, while Desire Doue forced Raya into an impressive low save with a powerful attempt—though the follow-up hit the post before the offside flag went up.

As the clock ticked into the 31st minute, we had barely made an impact in their half. Our statistics showed just one shot compared to their six, with 32% possession against their overwhelming 68%. This was not how we had envisioned the match unfolding. In his post-match press conference, Arteta mentioned he had pinpointed a specific issue, although he refrained from elaborating on it. He stated:

We had especially one issue that we corrected after 15-20 minutes, and we sustained that for the rest of the game, which I think turned the game around.

I’m telling you [specifically what it was] it’s just something that is very specific but very important, especially the way we played. We corrected it and it’s not easy to correct it constantly, but we did it and we did it much better.

While I believe it took slightly longer than 20 minutes for us to regain our footing, we certainly looked more competitive towards the end of the first half. Saka created an opportunity for Martinelli at the back post, though he was likely offside had he made proper contact. There was another penalty shout for Merino, but the PSG player managed to win the ball cleanly. One can only speculate what might have happened if the linesman had not called a soft foul on Saka as he dispossessed Nuno Mendes and had a clear path toward the penalty box.

The first half concluded with a significant chance for Martinelli, who was brilliantly set up by Myles Lewis-Skelly. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he was unable to find the finish. Opinions may vary on whether this was a glaring miss or an outstanding save by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but it certainly left us with a sense of what could have been.

The second half kicked off with Arsenal initially finding the back of the net as Merino headed in a Declan Rice free kick, but VAR stepped in, deeming the Spanish international offside. The decision seemed to take an unusually long time, especially since the offside was clear. Shortly after, a remarkable run from Rice set up a chance for Trossard, but again, Donnarumma was equal to the task, making a fingertip save to deflect the ball around the post.

After the match, Arteta spoke about the ‘fine margins’ at play, a statement I find completely valid given the two missed chances. While the second opportunity was indeed an exceptional save, at this level of competition, we must capitalize on at least one of those two chances. Such opportunities are scarce against opponents of this caliber, and this highlights a broader issue we currently face: we simply lack the clinical edge needed in the final third. If we aspire to secure the most prestigious trophies, we must make those critical moments count.

On the defensive end, William Saliba executed a perfectly-timed tackle in our penalty area to thwart Hakimi. With limited options on the bench to alter the dynamics of the match, I began to contemplate the second leg. While I certainly wanted us to score, there was a nagging fear that in pursuing that goal, we might leave ourselves vulnerable to conceding another. PSG had their chances, including a moment when Bradley Barcola found himself one-on-one due to our defensive lapse, but replays indicated that Goncalo Ramos was offside in the buildup.

The Portuguese striker then struck the crossbar with a deft toe-poke. While some have suggested he was offside, my review of the footage suggests that if he was, the margin was incredibly slim. To the naked eye, it appeared he timed his run perfectly to stay onside. You can view the image below to form your own opinion, but had that goal counted, we would have been in a far more precarious position. We narrowly escaped that situation.

This morning, as I reflect on the loss in the first leg, I have mixed feelings. While disappointment lingers, it could have been significantly worse. We faced fine margins in terms of the missed opportunities, and conversely, PSG could have extended their lead. A larger margin would have made our task in the second leg even more daunting, but while a 1-0 deficit at halftime isn’t ideal, it’s not insurmountable either.

Moreover, I believe we did not perform anywhere near our potential in last night’s game. It’s hard to pinpoint if the occasion affected us, but considering this was our first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, while PSG has participated in several semi-finals recently, it’s reasonable to suggest that experience plays a role. The early goal certainly rattled us for understandable reasons, but it’s crucial to learn and adapt.

If you’re looking for a silver lining this morning, you might highlight the fact that once we established some control over the game, we remained competitive. We created scoring opportunities, had a goal disallowed, and executed plays that troubled PSG’s defense. I am confident that Arteta and his coaching staff will meticulously analyze this match and devise strategies for improvement in the return leg. However, if you’re feeling pessimistic, I completely understand. We could have been punished but weren’t, and significant improvement will be essential if we want to reach the final.

After the match, Arteta remarked:

If you want to win the Champions League final, you have to do something special, and we’re going to have to do something special in Paris to be there.

As it stands, we’re still in the game at 1-0, and everything remains possible in a 90-minute match (or even 120 minutes). However, we cannot allow PSG to dominate the way they did again; I believe some players need to elevate their performance levels. This includes not only those responsible for finishing but also Martin Odegaard, who had a disappointing night. We need our star players to step up on the biggest stage, and I hope he can find the form necessary for the upcoming match. On a positive note, Lewis-Skelly again showcased his quality, and Rice rose to the occasion, aside from the unfortunate goal.

In summary, while the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, it’s far from the end of the road. We must take inspiration from the Arsenal Women, who faced a similar situation in their first leg but delivered an outstanding performance in the return leg in France. No one ever said this journey would be easy, and true to Arsenal’s spirit, we never take the straightforward path. All eyes are now on Paris, with a match against Bournemouth sandwiched in between.

For additional insights on last night’s match, we will have an Arsecast available for you later. Until then, take care.