Arsenal face an uphill battle to reach the Champions League final after losing 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final

Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal after just four minutes of a game littered with chances for both teams. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli were both denied by fine saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma before Mikel Merino saw an equaliser ruled out by VAR shortly after the break.

PSG substitutes Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola missed glorious openings at the death in what were huge let-offs for an Arsenal team who were second best from much of the night. The second leg is next Wednesday, in Paris.

Dembele, axed by Luis Enrique for Arsenal's comfortable 2-0 league stage win against PSG here in October, was the architect. The France international picked the ball up in the centre of the pitch and was allowed to run unchallenged before spraying the ball out to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Dembele received the return ball on the edge of Arsenal's penalty area and fired a left-footed shot into the turf and into the net off David Raya's post.

It was a nightmare start for Arsenal, who then spent the ensuing 20 minutes chasing PSG shadows.

Kvaratskhelia wanted a penalty when Jurrien Timber put his left arm across the PSG winger's midriff but his appeal was waved away. Kvaratskhelia was at it again moments later when he was afforded a strike at goal which deflected off Timber's studs and Raya reacted well.

Arsene Wenger, who took Arsenal to the final of this competition 19 years ago, wore a pained expression alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the director's box. And so, too, did an animated Arteta as he grew increasingly frustrated with his players, who were so composed against Real Madrid in the quarter-final but so sloppy here.

Desire Doue came close to doubling PSG's advantage on the half-hour mark but Raya was equal to it with a fine one-handed save. Arsenal were on the ropes and missing the suspended Thomas Partey in the heart of their midfield.

(London Evening Standard)

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