As Arsenal played their first Champions League semi-final for 16 years, it was PSG who impressed on a night where Arsenal could’ve conceded many and will feel frustrated that they couldn’t make home advantage pay.
The trouble with this PSG side, is that even if you stop them sitting deep you invite pressure. If you press them high (like Arsenal did) they can still slice through you time and time again.
Arsenal conceded to an early Ousmane Dembele goal and then worked hard to create chances that they couldn’t convert but in truth, they were lucky to not concede more.
PSG had guilt-edged chances through Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola that they spurned but were still worthy of their 1-0 win.
Here are five things we learnt from an absorbing Champions League Tie:
1. Impressive PSG
Alan Shearer consistently referenced it in commentary, but it’s really hard to not be impressed by this PSG side.
They may be the best team in Europe and it would be hard to argue against that on the basis of their performance in the first leg.
They work hard out of possession and strike quickly with their players when they do have the ball. PSG have players that no matter where they are on the pitch, they are comfortable in taking two or three men on.
Arsenal struggled to cope with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue as they quickly linked up to find space in behind.
At times the French side were too much to handle for the Gunners.
2. Key Decision goes against Arsenal
Arsenal had the ball in the net early in the second half but it was ruled out.
A smart set-piece routine that Arsenal have used before of a number of players starting the free-kick offside before getting into line led to Mikel Merino heading home.
Decisions in Europe tend to be more contentious, however with semi-automated offsides in the Champions League there is no debate.
You can’t help but think the mood, stadium and tie could’ve turned if the Merino goal had counted, but it wasn’t to be and for the rest of the game Arsenal found it difficult to find gaps in behind PSG’s defence.
3. Errors in build-up again
Something that has happened recently in Arsenal games has been lapses in judgement in defence leading to goals.
Maybe the incidents haven’t had much attention because they’ve occurred in games where Arsenal have been winning or have mattered less, but the fact the defence is sloppily giving the ball away in build-up is not good.
The problem was exacerbated against PSG’s crisp press as the attackers frequently took the ball off Arsenal’s defence.
Next week in Paris, Arsenal can maybe go to a style that favours counter-attacking football and sit back a little more despite them needing to chase the game, as they seem to be creating their own problems in defence.
4. Missed Chances
PSG were the better team on the night, but at home in a Champions League semi-final you need to dig in and respond.
Arsenal did that in the first half as they found their footing and weren’t overawed by PSG. When their chances did arrive however, they couldn’t finish their dinner.
The chances that fell to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were huge, but Gianluigi Donnarumma stood in the way.
In a game that was tight, Arsenal never made the most of playing at home, it felt like a goal could’ve ignited the atmosphere.
5. Mountain to climb in Paris
There is no sugar-coating it, on the back of that game, PSG are formidable opponents.
Aston Villa attacked and hounded PSG to make them sweat, but they had nothing to lose and were playing at home. There was a period in the second half where basically nothing happened for 20 minutes and PSG managed the game well.
That’s what’s different about this PSG side, they aren’t chokers, they aren’t fazed.
The season hinges on going to Paris and turning the tie around and with Arsenal’s blunt attack it looks a tough ask.
It isn’t over by any stretch of the imagination, but PSG are so threatening it feels like Arsenal will have to score at least three to stand a chance of qualification.
In order to make a Champions League final, Mikel Arteta may have to go for it vs Luis Enrique to salvage the season and tie.
The lead is still a slender one, but Arsenal will have to play better than they did at the Emirates to stand any chance of making the Champions League Final.
The season rests entirely on next week.
