Dembele Delivers as PSG Stun Arsenal in Semi-Final First Leg

Paris Saint-Germain delivered a clinical performance to claim a narrow 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.

An early goal from Ousmane Dembélé proved decisive, giving the French side a valuable lead to take back to Paris.

The match exploded into life within the opening minutes, as PSG silenced the raucous home crowd just four minutes after kickoff. Dembélé, finishing off a flowing sequence of 26 passes that began deep in PSG’s half, latched onto a clever setup from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and rifled a left-footed shot in off the post.

It was Dembélé’s eighth goal of the Champions League campaign, another highlight in a standout season.

Arsenal, playing in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, struggled to match PSG’s rhythm and sharpness in the early stages. Though the Gunners grew into the contest, they were repeatedly denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose reflexes and command of the area frustrated the hosts throughout.

A disallowed header by Mikel Merino early in the second half, ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check briefly raised Arsenal’s hopes, but the momentum quickly faded. Despite their attacking efforts, they couldn’t find a breakthrough.

PSG had chances to widen their lead late in the match, with Bradley Barcola spurning a clear opportunity and Gonçalo Ramos rattling the crossbar. Nonetheless, Luis Enrique’s side held firm to record their first-ever win over Arsenal, having failed to beat them in five previous European encounters.

With both teams still chasing their first Champions League title, the return leg at the Parc des Princes on May 7 sets the stage for a thrilling showdown. PSG now sit in pole position, but Arsenal will be determined to mount a comeback and keep their European dream alive in the French capital.