Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment following a 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on April 29, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium, admitting his team struggled to find their footing in the opening 15 minutes. Ousmane Dembele’s clinical fourth-minute goal, a left-footed strike off the post after a 26-pass move, gave PSG a slim advantage heading into the second leg on May 7, 2025, at the Parc des Princes.
Speaking to Amazon Prime post-match, Arteta lamented the result, stating, “Disappointed with the result. We put so much into the game. We struggled in the first 10-15 minutes to get momentum and dominance. Disappointed not to get a draw at least.” He acknowledged PSG’s efficiency, particularly Dembele’s decisive moment, saying, “That is always the danger, credit to them. They get out of a situation that is close. We had seven players behind the ball, and they were clinical. Sometimes you just have to recognize the talent of the individual.” In his press conference, Arteta elaborated, noting a specific tactical issue with ball movement was corrected after the initial 15-20 minutes, which helped Arsenal regain control, though they failed to convert chances.
Arsenal’s early disarray was evident as PSG dominated possession and exploited midfield gaps, with Joao Neves and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia instrumental in the goal. Despite growing into the game, Arsenal were thwarted by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made five saves, including one-on-one stops against Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. A potential equalizer from Mikel Merino’s 47th-minute header was disallowed for offside, adding to the frustration. Arteta highlighted Donnarumma’s impact, telling BBC Sport, “At the end, we have two of our front players one v one with Donnarumma. If they scored the goal it is different. He made the saves… and that’s the difference in the Champions League.”
Arteta remained optimistic, emphasizing the tie is only at “half-time” and drawing confidence from Arsenal’s 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. “We have to go to Paris and win the game. We are more than capable of doing it,” he said, referencing their resilience at the Bernabeu. However, the absence of Thomas Partey due to suspension and injuries to key attackers like Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz exposed Arsenal’s vulnerabilities, with Merino’s makeshift role in midfield drawing criticism for lack of cohesion. Posts on X echoed Arteta’s call for tactical adjustments, with some fans urging a focus on exploiting PSG’s right flank, where Achraf Hakimi leaves space.
The defeat, Arsenal’s first home loss in the Champions League this season, dampened the electric pre-match atmosphere Arteta had rallied for, having urged fans to “bring your boots” to surpass the noise of the Real Madrid victory. While PSG’s early masterclass exposed Arsenal’s slow start, Arteta’s side showed resilience, creating chances that suggest the tie remains winnable. With Dembele’s fitness uncertain for the return leg due to a minor hamstring injury, Arsenal have a glimmer of hope to overturn the deficit and reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
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