Paris Saint-Germain secured a 1-0 lead in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal against Arsenal, thanks to a refined tactical approach and moments of individual brilliance.
Ousmane Dembele, enjoying his best season, scored his 32nd goal, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provided a crucial assist, highlighting his impact since joining in January. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was also key for Luis Enrique`s team, making five vital saves to keep a clean sheet and give PSG an advantage for the return leg in Paris.
For Arsenal, it wasn`t a poor performance overall, with Declan Rice particularly standing out. However, it wasn`t their finest match either, leaving them with some hope and clear areas for improvement for the second leg.
Arsenal Player Ratings
| Name | Minutes | Performance Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Raya (GK) | 90 | Made three saves against an attacking PSG side, though could perhaps have done better on the only goal conceded. | 7.5 |
| Jurien Timber (DEF) | 83 | Was caught out during Ousmane Dembele`s decisive goal, which was costly despite an otherwise solid display. | 7 |
| William Saliba (DEF) | 90 | Solid defensively on a day Arsenal defended reasonably well, but containing this tactical PSG side is difficult. It wasn`t a bad outing, but not his absolute best. | 7.5 |
| Jakub Kiwior (DEF) | 90 | Similar to Saliba, Kiwior faced challenges against PSG`s complex tactics. He did what he could, but it wasn`t necessarily his strongest performance. | 7 |
| Myles Lewis-Skelley (DEF) | 90 | Showed increasing involvement in attack as Arsenal searched for an equalizer, making some promising forward runs, particularly from midway through the first half. | 7.5 |
| Martin Odegaard (MID) | 89 | A mixed performance, handling defensive duties well but offering little impact in attack. He created just one chance and was not very active in the final third. | 6.5 |
| Declan Rice (MID) | 90 | Arguably Arsenal`s best player, delivering a strong defensive effort while also helping initiate numerous attacking opportunities, especially later in the match. His performance reflected Arsenal`s overall display – competing well but struggling against PSG`s unique tactics. | 8 |
| Mikel Merino (MID) | 90 | Despite potentially being involved in what looked like an equalizer, his attacking output was lackluster, perhaps indicative of Arsenal`s persistent offensive challenges. | 6.5 |
| Bukayo Saka (FWD) | 90 | Had moments in attack, particularly when Arsenal found some confidence in the first half. However, there`s room for improvement after managing only one shot. | 6.5 |
| Leandro Trossard (FWD) | 90 | Took three shots and was significantly involved in Arsenal`s attempts to equalize, putting two on target and generating 0.45 expected goals. | 7.5 |
| Gabriel Martinelli (FWD) | 90 | Also registered three shots and a high expected goals value (1.08), but could have finished some of his opportunities better. His lack of clinicality was potentially costly. | 6.5 |
| Substitutes | |||
| Name | Minutes | Performance Summary | Rating |
| Ben White (DEF) | 7 | Provided some defensive cover but played too few minutes to make a significant impact. | N/A |
| Ethan Nwaneri (MID) | 1 | Did not play enough to earn a rating. | N/A |
| Manager | |||
| Name | Subs Used | Performance Summary | Rating |
| Mikel Arteta | 2 | Successfully adapted to PSG`s unique press, though only after going down a goal. His substitutions highlighted a potential long-standing issue: Arsenal`s attacking depth might not be sufficient for this level. | 7 |
Paris Saint-Germain Player Ratings
| Name | Minutes | Performance Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) | 90 | His five saves were crucial in withstanding Arsenal`s attacks, ensuring PSG held a vital advantage for the second leg at home. | 8.5 |
| Achraf Hakimi (DEF) | 90 | Continued to be a standout in Enrique`s new system, frequently joining the attack and causing problems for Arsenal`s defense. | 7.5 |
| Marquinhos (DEF) | 90 | A solid defensive display, effectively containing Arsenal`s threats. He won most of his duels and made five clearances. | 7.5 |
| Willian Pacho (DEF) | 90 | Had a decent night, but was less prominent than Marquinhos and didn`t win any duels, making him the weaker of the two center-backs. | 7 |
| Nuno Mendes (DEF) | 90 | Formed a strong partnership with Hakimi in the revamped PSG lineup. He excelled in both defensive and offensive roles during the match. | 8 |
| Joao Neves (MID) | 89 | A key component in Enrique`s system, demonstrating his value with a strong defensive performance that limited Arsenal`s attacking options. | 8 |
| Vitinha (MID) | 90 | Held his own in a game largely dictated by the midfield battle, delivering a solid but less flashy performance compared to some others. | 7.5 |
| Fabian Ruiz (MID) | 90 | Like Vitinha, he ensured PSG`s midfield operated effectively, providing a stable but unspectacular performance. | 7.5 |
| Desire Doue (FWD) | 76 | The 19-year-old justified his start, showcasing his versatility in a team with many attacking options. He managed only one shot, but it required a significant save from Raya. | 7 |
| Ousmane Dembele (FWD) | 70 | Highly efficient with his shots, scoring the crucial lone goal. His goal was characteristic of the new PSG style, taking his season tally to 32, making this his most prolific campaign. | 7.5 |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (FWD) | 90 | Once again, a star performer for PSG, not just for his assist on Dembele`s goal. He makes Enrique`s system click and constantly troubled opposition defenders with his busy attacking presence, ensuring PSG took an advantage home. | 8.5 |
| Substitutes | |||
| Name | Minutes | Performance Summary | Rating |
| Bradley Barcola (FWD) | 20 | Came on to help find a second goal. Took two shots in 20 minutes, but arguably should have done better with one of them. | 7 |
| Goncalo Ramos (FWD) | 14 | Similar to Barcola, was introduced to boost the attack but didn`t significantly impact the scoreline. | 7 |
| Warren Zaïre-Emery (MID) | 1 | Did not play enough to warrant a rating. | N/A |
| Manager | |||
| Name | Subs Used | Performance Summary | Rating |
| Luis Enrique | 3 | Secured an away win, showcasing a tactical style that marks them as one of Europe`s top teams. However, they weren`t flawless, absorbing Arsenal`s pressure but perhaps playing too conservatively in the second half, which left them vulnerable. | 7.5 |
Dominic Ashworth