Arsenal has a big hill to climb in the Champions League semi-finals after VAR heartbreak in Wednesday’s (AEST) first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in London.
The Gunners thought they had scored a second half equaliser when Mikel Merino found the back of the net, but after a long inspection, technology ruled that his boot was offside in the build-up.
PSG continued to survive a withering onslaught from the hosts, who had started the match as warm favourites.
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Mikel Merino’s goal is overturned by VAR. Stan
Goalscorer Ousmane Dembele, who rocked Arsenal in the fourth minute, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma were the heroes of the 1-0 upset as both continued their sublime form.
“It just goes to show as well, especially in the very, very big games, skill, composure, will always beat just pure will,” Mark Bosnich said on Stan Sport while analysing Dembele’s goal.
“And that’s exactly what happened. Wonderful start from Dembele, that’s his 32nd goal in 44 appearances of this season in all competitions.
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“And the precision and the skill that they showed, really quietened down that crowd, which was raucous beforehand, and gave Arsenal severe problems… superb team – I’d be so proud if I was a PSG supporter. Massive advantage to Paris.”
Neither Arsenal or PSG has won the Champions League.
The second leg is in Paris next week.
Dembele opened the scoring after he was left all alone in the Arsenal area and was picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a first time finish that snuck in via the far post.
PSG had lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the league phase in October but showed no hesitation in taking the game to Arsenal from the start.
Instead, it was the hosts who looked affected by the moment in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 – despite having beaten Real Madrid 3-0 at home in the quarter-finals.
They couldn’t cope with PSG’s pace in transition and the visitors’ lead easily could have been bigger after a dominant first half.
Kvaratskhelia caused Arsenal problems throughout and had a penalty appeal turned down in the 17th minute and a shot saved by David Raya in the 26th.
Raya made a better save in the 31st to deny Desire Doue as PSG continually was the more threatening team.
At the other end, Donnarumma denied Arsenal an equaliser on the stroke of half time with a one handed save to keep out a shot from Gabriel Martinelli.
With former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looking on from the stands, the Gunners improved in the second half.
Merino thought he had equalised shortly after the break when he headed in a free kick from Declan Rice, but it was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Donnarumma then had to make another low one handed finger tip save to steer Leandro Trossard’s shot wide after a quick counter-attack in the 56th minute, but that was as close as Arsenal came to an equaliser.
PSG substitutes Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos both had chances to double the lead late on when clear through on goal.
But Barcola shot narrowly wide and Ramos rattled the crossbar to keep Arsenal close going into the second leg in Paris next week.
“They started quick with a goal and they dominated the first 15-20 minutes. It’s only halftime, we take positives,” Raya said.
PSG lost to Borussia Dortmund at this stage last year.
“The job that (PSG manager) Luis Enrique has done, having to manage the fact that in (Kylian) Mbappe, in one of the greatest players – arguably the greatest player in the world – was leaving (for Real Madrid),” Bosnich said.
“And he had to basically build a new team, and for him to do what he’s done in such a short period of time, it’s been an absolutely outstanding achievement.
“That man there, Donnarumma, has been a different goalkeeper. When Arsenal beat this Paris side in the league phase, and quite convincingly so at the Emirates, we said it’s a completely different team, Paris then to what they are now, and they showed that tonight.”
Indeed, Dembele’s goal came after 26 consecutive passes in the build-up, the most for PSG in a Champions League game since 2003-04.
“That shows the dynamic that we have and the strong collective,” Vitinha said.
“It was a great night. We could have scored more but we are glad for 1-0 and we will do everything in our power to go to the final.”
Barcelona hosts Inter Milan on Thursday (AEST) in the other semi final.
– with AP
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