There’s no way around it—Tuesday night at the Emirates didn’t go the way Arsenal fans had hoped.
A 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final has left Mikel Arteta’s side facing a massive challenge.
But before we write off their chances, let’s take a closer look at what went wrong—and why there’s still belief this tie isn’t finished.
The Game-Changer Came Early from PSG
The damage was done within just four minutes. Ousmane Dembele struck early for PSG, finishing off a slick 26-pass move that carved Arsenal open.
And while the goal was impressive from the French side, it came down to a tiny lapse in judgment on Arsenal’s part.
Declan Rice, who had been tracking back with Jurrien Timber to cover the dangerous Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, strayed a little too far out to help.
That move left Dembele in acres of space, and Mikel Merino was too slow to respond.
One wrong move at this level, and you’re punished—and PSG made no mistake.
For the next half hour, Arsenal were visibly shaken, with PSG gaining confidence and passing with ease.
The Gunners did regain some composure later, but the early goal had already shifted the game’s momentum.
Rice’s Redemption and the Fine Margins at the Top
Despite his early mistake, Rice responded with a solid second-half showing. His recovery summed up what makes him such a valuable player.
Still, at this level, even a few inches out of position can decide a Champions League semi-final.
Some critics have overreacted to Arsenal’s defeat. Yes, it’s a blow.
But this is the same team that beat Real Madrid away from home—and they did it convincingly.
It took a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnarumma to deny Leandro Trossard a crucial equalizer.
So this wasn’t a game where Arsenal were outclassed—they just lost out on the margins.
Partey’s Return Could Shift the Balance in Paris
There’s good news for the second leg: Thomas Partey will be back in the squad after missing the first match through suspension. His return could help reshape Arsenal’s midfield.
While Rice did a fine job in the deeper role, Partey’s presence would allow him to push further forward, possibly unlocking more from Merino up top.
That’s the setup that worked so well at the Bernabeu. Trossard, although talented, is more effective as a winger.
Merino gives Arsenal that added physicality in attack, even if he’s still adjusting to the role.
Arteta made the best call with the options he had—but Partey’s return changes the equation in Paris.
Timber vs. Kvaratskhelia: A Duel Worth Watching Again
Let’s not forget the individual battles on the night. Timber had his hands full with Kvaratskhelia early on, but he grew into the game and ended up holding his own.
Arteta shouldn’t hesitate to pit them against each other again—Timber showed grit and resilience, even if he had a rocky start.
Time to Tweak the Free-Kick Routine
Arsenal’s set-piece play has been a strength all season, but it’s starting to feel a bit predictable.
Their go-to move—players starting in offside positions and sprinting back onside—has caught plenty of teams out, but PSG weren’t fooled.
A well-organized back line, led by someone like Marquinhos, knows how to hold shape.
Arsenal came close to scoring from one of these routines, but offside is offside—whether it’s an inch or a yard.
It might be time for the set-piece coaches to freshen things up before the second leg.
And as for Ben White’s late foul on Donnarumma? That was just a moment of poor judgment. Definitely not something drawn up on the tactics board.
The Crowd Can Only Do So Much
Before the game, Arteta made a big deal about the importance of the fans bringing the energy.
But in truth, it’s the players who have to set the tone.
When Arsenal took control at the Bernabeu or when Villa turned it up against PSG at Villa Park, it was the performances that ignited the stadium—not chants alone.
Gesturing at the fans to make noise after winning a corner doesn’t hit the same as scoring a goal or making a crunching tackle.
Arsenal’s players need to focus on sparking the crowd through their actions.
After all, when you concede early and spend long spells without the ball, even the loudest fans go quiet.
Lewis-Skelly Is a Star in the Making
One bright spot on the night was 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.
He’s still so young, yet he’s already showing maturity and confidence well beyond his years.
Reminiscent of a young Steven Gerrard—who famously filled in at right back—Lewis-Skelly is making waves wherever he plays.
Even as a left back, he’s keeping seasoned defenders out of the side.
But many believe his long-term future lies in midfield, and based on his performances so far, Arsenal won’t be entertaining any offers for him—no matter the price.
PSG Proved It Can Be Done—and So Can Arsenal
One last reason for optimism: PSG themselves have been in Arsenal’s position before.
When they lost the first leg 1-0 to Liverpool, many wrote them off. But they dug deep and came back to win the tie.
There’s no reason Arsenal can’t do the same. They’ve shown grit, resilience, and the quality needed to beat top teams on the road.
The task is tough, but it’s not impossible. Paris will be buzzing—but so will the Gunners if they show up and take their chances.