PSG secured a narrow 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal during their Champions League semi-final first match. Dembélé scored the fourth-minute goal after Kvaratskhelia launched a quick attack. The early part of the match belonged to PSG as they thwarted Raya multiple times with their efforts but the Gunners steadily developed their gameplay and opened meaningful attacking opportunities. Donnarumma showcased strong defensive performance throughout the match while the VAR system eliminated an early Merino goal for offside which kept PSG ahead by a thin margin going into the second fixture.
What Were Arsenal’s Short Comings
The Arsenal defence experienced numerous problems during the early stages because Timber failed to stop Kvaratskhelia for PSG to score. The match-up opportunity together with their unsettled shooting technique become costly assets for Arsenal in this game. Martinelli produced two good scoring opportunities yet failed to convert both of them while various promising attacking movements ended without netting. Genetic control was poor because players received three yellow cards for showing their increasing frustration throughout the match. The crucial turning point during the match came when Merino squandered his poor scoring opportunity though Arsenal maintained superior attack possibilities.
What Arsenal Could Have Done To Win
Arsenal needed greater efficiency in finishing their goal scoring opportunities to bring about change. Their excellent chance creation revealed quality yet their failure to score defeated them. Dembélé’s goal would have been halted through improved defensive communication in the first minutes of play. Arteta’s substitutions appeared after PSG scored first as he could have introduced faster players who would have stretched PSG defence wide. Technical amplification combined with proper direction finding among PSG defenders might have produced goal-scoring possibilities during a match that depended greatly on fine differences.
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