Arsenal 0 PSG 1: Dembele and Donnarumma shine as Arteta’s team faces tough challenge in Paris

Arsenal will go to Paris the following week hoping to overcome a one-goal disadvantage from a 1-0 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final battle.

Arsenal were met by a fervent Emirates Stadium crowd in their first semi-final participation in the tournament in 16 years, reflecting the vibrant environment experienced in their prior round versus Real Madrid. The home supporters were silenced by Ousmane Dembélé's 25th goal of the year barely four minutes in, thereby swiftly dampening the momentum.

For most of the first half, PSG was in control; they kept threatening after the interval. Arsenal believed they had equalized when Mikel Merino headed in a Declan Rice free kick, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review—a ruling that angered the home fans already dissatisfied with other referee calls. Jurrien Timber's box scuffle with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia caused PSG to also have a possible penalty denied.

Arsenal had more chances in the second half, including a close-range attempt from Leandro Trossard, but Gianluigi Donnarumma kept PSG ahead.

Park des Princes will host the return leg on May 7. The finalist will face Inter Milan or Barcelona, who play their first leg on Wednesday.