Lessons Arteta and Arsenal Took from Defeat to PSG.
What Arsenal and Arteta Learned from Defeat to PSG
Arsenal suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite creating good chances through Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to find the net and equalize.
BBC Sport breaks down the key takeaways from the match:
Arsenal Feel the Absence of Partey
One of Arteta’s main challenges heading into this match was how to set up his midfield without Thomas Partey, who was suspended after picking up a needless yellow card late in the quarter-final against Real Madrid.
The 31-year-old has been a vital presence in midfield, and his absence forced Arteta to reshuffle. With injuries mounting and Mikel Merino recently playing as a striker, the manager adjusted by moving Merino back to midfield and deploying Declan Rice in a deeper number six role—taking him away from the more advanced position where he excelled against Madrid. Leandro Trossard was brought in to lead the line.
PSG asserted control early, dominating 75% of possession in the first 15 minutes and scoring in the fourth via Ousmane Dembélé. The French winger repeatedly exploited the space between Arsenal’s midfield and backline, and his goal came from drifting into this pocket of space.
It raises the question: would Partey’s presence have disrupted Dembélé’s rhythm or prevented the goal altogether? Given Partey’s recent form, his return will be pivotal if Arsenal are to overturn the deficit in the second leg.
Kvaratskhelia vs Timber: A Tough Battle
Arsenal were well aware of PSG’s quality—they had already eliminated Aston Villa and Liverpool and topped their group by beating Manchester City. But PSG had a new weapon this time: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, signed in January for €70m.
Jurrien Timber, arguably Arsenal’s most consistent defender this season, faced a stern test against the Georgian winger, particularly in the first half. Kvaratskhelia provided the assist for Dembélé’s goal, bursting into the box and cutting it back for the finish.
The Georgian was a constant threat on the left flank, prompting Bukayo Saka to help double up defensively. Timber improved in the second half as Arsenal gained more possession, allowing him to get forward and ease the pressure. Still, it was a rare occasion where Timber looked troubled throughout a match.
‘If We Don’t Have the Ball, We Die’ – Rice
Declan Rice’s pre-match message was captured on TV: “If we don’t have the ball, we die.” That fear became reality, with PSG controlling large parts of the first half. Although Arsenal improved after the break and ended with 48% possession, they struggled to dictate the game.
Arteta acknowledged the challenge: “You cannot dominate this team for 95 minutes. Impossible.” He emphasized the fine margins that separated the sides and highlighted PSG’s clinical edge and goalkeeping as key factors.
The Tie is Still Alive
Despite the loss, Arteta remains confident: “We have to go to Paris and win the game. We are more than capable of doing it.”
Reflecting on the performance, he added: “The margins are so small. They had efficiency in front of goal. Their keeper made a difference. We still have a strong chance to reach the final—now is the time to do something special.”
Luis Enrique: PSG Expect a Battle
PSG manager Luis Enrique, though pleased with the result, is preparing for a difficult second leg.
“Matches like this are full of emotion. We showed our quality and scored early, but we also suffered. We could’ve had a second, but the tie is far from over,” he said.
“We expect to suffer in the return leg. Arsenal are a top side, and there’s still a lot to play for. We’re confident, but we know it won’t be easy.”
