Summary

Live Reporting

Craig Nelson, Ben Ramsdale, Sarah Rendell & Karan Vinod

  1. 'We need to make them regret missing those two big chances at the end'

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    First 20 mins PSG battered us in a way no team has done since City three years ago (excluding Newcastle in the Carabao Cup). Dembele and Vitinha were the key in the positions they were picking up. Once we figured out their movement though, we grew into the game and pulled out some great chances. Their defending from set pieces is one big glass jaw and I think our increased physicality in the second leg will cause them different problems - a spine of Partey, Rice and Merino compared to Rice, Merino, Trossard gives us so much more structure and duel-winning potential further up the pitch. We just need to make them regret missing those two big chances at the end. COYG!!!

    Anon

  2. PSG take over from Arsenal as favourites - Opta

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    It may come as little surprise that, after beating Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals, Paris St-Germain are now the favourites to win the Champions League at 38.2%, according to Opta's supercomputer.

    For Arsenal, their chances of winning the competition for the first time have fallen - from 31.3% before kick-off to 15% now.

    The second semi-final will be played tonight between Inter Milan and Barcelona, with the Catalan side as the second-favourite to win the competition at 28.7%. Inter's chances are projected at 18.1%.

  3. Get Involved - was Rooney right about Emirates atmosphere?

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    I was right above the PSG fans (they didn’t pack it in all night – not even sure if they were watching the game, just constantly singing). Pettiness aside, the atmosphere was a little subdued but I’d say more frustrated and deflated. Brought about largely because of PSG’s early goal and performance in the opening 25 minutes, in particular, but also because of Arsenal’s somewhat sub-par performance.

    Ed, Norfolk

    Rooney is right by the way. For the Real Madrid game fans were in their seats 15 minutes before kick off, whereas people were still streaming in a couple of minutes into the game - was very frustrating considering the magnitude of the game. I felt the club could have done more to make us all a part of it and our banner was pants. Their early goal was such a killer for the crowd as well and the PSG fans were superb all night. Parc des Princes is gonna be an absolute cauldron - just hope it’s the kind of pressure cooker environment our team loves to respond to.

    Anon

  4. From heady night to nightmare in four minutes

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    There was certainly no faulting the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium before kick-off...

    Arsenal fanGetty Images
    Emirates Stadium before kick-offGetty Images
    Arsenal fans and TifoGetty Images

    ,,,but Ousmane Dembele's fourth-minute strike burst that Arsenal bubble and gave the PSG fans plenty to sing about.

    Ousmane Dembele scoresGetty Images
    Arsenal fansGetty Images
    PSG fansGetty Images

  5. 'It pains me to agree with Rooney, but he's right'

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    As a lifelong Arsenal fan, it pains me to agree with Wayne Rooney, but he's right. The early goal burst the atmosphere last night, and the fans never really got going again. Very underwhelming night in many respects. Credit to PSG who were solid. Still only 1-0 though, anything can happen. COYG.

    Callum, London

  6. 'Damage was done early on'

    Arsenal 0-1 PSG

    Matthew Upson
    Former Arsenal defender on Football Daily podcast

    Yes the damage was done early on. It was a tough start for Arsenal, not just to go behind with the goal, I think it was just the realisation of the swiftness, the aggression that PSG were playing with in an attacking sense.

    I think it was just a bit of a shock early on and it took them a little bit of time in that first half to really get to grips with the game. PSG were doing their thing, they were very confident. It was an excellent game from them I have to say.

    In the second half I felt Arsenal just got into it, got their confidence, realised that physically if they are going to win this game they have got to rely on their physicality.

  7. Get Involved - was Rooney right about Emirates atmosphere?

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    What do you think about Wayne Rooney's comments Arsenal fans?

    Of course, conceding in the fourth minute can suck all of the energy out of a home crowd, and will have fuelled the noisy Paris St-Germain contingent too.

    We would love to hear the thoughts of Arsenal supporters who were at the Emirates Stadium on the atmosphere and whether it differed to other Champions League ties under the lights.

    Get in touch via:

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    • Or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Thanks.

  8. 'I was a bit disappointed with how they played, disappointed with the fans as well'

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Wayne Rooney
    Former Man Utd striker on Amazon Prime

    Warning: Some Arsenal fans may find what former England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney had to say about the atmosphere at the Emirates a bit triggering:

    "For Arsenal, I was a bit disappointed with how they played, disappointed with the fans as well," said Rooney on Amazon Prime.

    "The fans against Real Madrid [in Arsenal's 3-0 win in the home leg of their quarter-final] really pushed the team.

    "I thought tonight they were a bit subdued, almost like an anti-climax that they beat Real Madrid and were going to walk into the final and win the competition.

    "I think on both sides, it wasn't good enough for Arsenal."

    Arsenal fans react at Emirates StadiumGetty Images

  9. What's coming up?

    We will continue to bring you analysis and reactions from Arsenal's first-leg defeat at home to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

    Coming up, European football expert Julien Laurens on the brilliance of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    Also, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on the absence of Thomas Partey at Emirates Stadium.

    But first, what Wayne Rooney had to say on the atmosphere at Tuesday night's game...

  11. Get Involved

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    The biggest difference between Arsenal and PSG was not ability but mentality. PSG believe they will win; Arsenal went in trying to not “die”. The pre half huddles were typical of that lack of belief. Trying to convince who by talking on the pitch like that? They were not ready, they didn’t believe, and Arteta needs to take responsibility for not preparing them mentally.

    Dr David

    Arsenal's huddle before the start of the second halfGetty Images

  12. Rice v Odegaard - pass maps

    Arsenal 0-1 PSG

    Martin Odegaard is a different player to Declan Rice, with a different role and responsibility in Arsenal's midfield.

    But the difference between the two players' pass maps against Paris St-Germain is still difficult to ignore or explain.

    Rice failed with just five of his 50 attempted passes and was pretty much everywhere on the pitch...

    Declan Rice pass map graphicBBC Sport

    ...whereas Odegaard was less mobile and completed only 20 of 23 attempted passes...

    Martin Odegaard pass map

  13. Get Involved - 'Persistently overconfident and falling flat on their faces'

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    The current Arsenal players remind me of the 2008-10 team. Persistently overconfident and falling flat on their faces at the biggest and most important hurdle.

    Andy

    Slim hope for Arsenal is if Dembele is out of the next game with an injury. But even then it would require Arsenal’s best footballing performance in over 25 years to get through to the final. Arteta, time to earn your bacon.

    James

    I think the phrase is 'bring home the bacon' James, but we know what you mean...

  14. On Odegaard's anonymity...

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    We've had quite a few texts already this morning reflecting on Martin Odegaard's performance - or lack of one - last night.

    The Arsenal captain struggled to have any influence on proceedings yesterday and was ultimately substituted late on as the Gunners searched for an equaliser.

    Replacing Odegaard when chasing a goal may to some have seemed strange but his lack of involvement warranted it.

    No midfielder on the pitch had less touches than Odegaard while only Leandro Trossard (35), Gabriel Martinelli (23) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (39) had less in an Arsenal shirt.

    It adds to what has been a disappointing recent spell for the Norway international who we've become so used to being such an influential figure for the Gunners.

    He hasn't found the net since 4 March while he only has five assists in all competitions in the whole of 2025.

    A graphic of Martin Odegaard's touch map against PSG

  15. Where was Odegaard and Saka?

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Julien Laurens
    European football expert on Football Daily podcast

    Where was [Martin] Odegaard and [Bukayo] Saka? I think Arsenal's big players were not on the level that they should have been or we expected them to be. Whereas Vitinha was man of the match, I think deservedly, and [Ousmane] Dembele scored the only goal of the game.

  16. Get Involved

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    Hi, Blaine here, Arsenal devotee! PSG were good last night, but what's with Odegaard!? He's been average for weeks now. His spark has definitely gone 😬. Nwaneri should, in my opinion, start against PSG next week. The runs he made, and his overall aggressiveness to win the ball, was by far the better performance, vs Odegaard.

    Blaine, Cornwall

    Could someone please explain to me what Odegaard's role was supposed to be last night? If anything, he lost possession in crucial areas and his passes, especially in the final third, were ineffectual. Running all over the pitch and seemingly urging players on without making any real impact is not good enough from a captain 😔

    Myke, Sheffield

  17. Arsenal's lack of passing accuracy

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Arsenal players looking dejectedGetty Images

    Arsenal's first-half passing accuracy in the opposition half against Paris St-Germain at Emirates Stadium was 64.9%, down from their season average of 83%.

    It was the lowest of any of the semi-finalists so far this season.

    European football expert Julien Laurens credited PSG's press as the reason.

    He said on the Football Daily podcast: "I think [Virgil] van Dijk said it really well after the Liverpool game, they have never really faced a team like that with that kind of pressing and counter-pressing. The first 40 minutes especially, when they don't let you breathe at all.

    "They are on you all of the time, [Fabian] Ruiz, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembele. Whereas sometimes you have one or two seconds on the ball, against PSG when they are at their best you just don't have that time. It's so difficult to put your game in place."

  18. Could Merino fire Arsenal back into this tie?

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Sadly for Arsenal, they have no such fit centre-forward in their ranks at present JD.

    But Thomas Partey's return for the second leg in Paris would allow Mikel Arteta to push Mikel Merino further forward into that false nine role he has been operating in.

    Merino has scored seven goals since being switched to that position in February, following injuries to regular forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

    Could the Spaniard be the answer in Paris?

    Mikel MerinoGetty Images

  19. Get Involved

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    Arsenal are turning into something of a Jekyll and Hyde team, who can be brilliant one week and then average the next. I genuinely believed that the way Madrid were brushed aside, they would've dealt similarly with PSG, but their need for a dedicated striker is glaring. They haven't got a physical centre-forward who can assert themselves in the penalty area, and rely solely on intricate build up, but have not got the sort of deadly finisher they need.

    JD

  20. What should Arsenal's game plan be for PSG return leg?

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    Arsenal having the belief they can win in Paris is obviously one thing, but coming up with a tactical plan to make that happen is an entirely different matter.

    We will have a look at some of the finer details Mikel Arteta will be considering before that second leg, most notably how to get creative players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka firing at the Parc des Princes.

    Bukayo Saka takes the captain's armband from Martin OdegaardGetty Images