It may not have provided the same thrills as Barça-Inter, undoubtedly the most exciting and entertaining match of this season’s Champions League, but the other semi-final between Arsenal and PSG did not disappoint either. The match at the Emirates Stadium promised to be a closely fought contest, and so it proved: in the end, the Parisians came out on top thanks to Dembélé’s goal after just four minutes of play. The Gunners’ assault proved fruitless: Mikel Arteta’s team had its chances, some of them important, but came up against a giant Donnarumma, who was as decisive as he was on the night in Liverpool.
In Paris, the score is 0-1 from London, a result that brings the French side closer to their second final in their history: Luis Enrique’s men only need a draw – any draw – at the Parc des Princes to secure their place in Munich. The Londoners, on the other hand, will have to pull off a remarkable feat: the goal is to win by at least one goal to take the tie into extra time (and possibly penalties).
Should they fail to do so, Arsenal will be eliminated. Meanwhile, PSG are holding their breath over Dembélé’s condition: the former Barcelona player was injured in the English capital and is a major doubt for the return leg. Luis Enrique certainly has no shortage of attacking options, but we are talking about a player who scored an impressive 25 goals in 2025 alone: no one else in the major European leagues can boast such numbers. His absence would certainly be felt.
PSG-Arsenal, Partey risks at least a card
Compared to the first leg, however, Arteta will be able to welcome back his bulldog Thomas Partey, one of those who can provide a big help in the middle thanks to his physicality, countering the Parisian’s enveloping maneuver.
Suspended seven days ago, the Ghanaian is likely to pick up at least one yellow card or commit a couple of fouls, making him a prime candidate for the match’s “almost booked Plus” list. This hypothesis is also supported by the numbers: he is Arsenal’s third most foul-prone player, with an average of 1.3 fouls per game.
Mikel Merino, Arteta’s “jack of all trades,” is also at risk: the former Real Sociedad player will be decisive even when not in possession, and it would not be a surprise if he ended up in the referee’s notebook. And at PSG? Despite playing in attack, Desiré Doué has also stood out this season for his exuberance when the ball is with the opposition: the young talent who came through the ranks at Rennes is second in the fouls table. Finally, a repeat performance from Joao Neves cannot be ruled out. Already booked in the first leg, the Portuguese could receive another yellow card, as he will be mainly involved in defensive duties.