It’s advantage Paris Saint-Germain after they emerged as 1-0 winner from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final first leg at Arsenal.
Ousmane Dembele was the matchwinner with a fourth-minute strike for the visitors – which they will look to defend in the French capital next Wednesday.
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN was at the Emirates Stadium running the rule on the players in the thick of the action.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA: 6.5
Good saves to deny both Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in first half. Faced up to being relentlessly pressed.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 5.5
Often found out of position by the impressive Kvaratskhelia who he hacked down a few times. A tricky night.
Jurrien Timber (right) endured a difficult evening against PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6
Didn’t get tight enough to Dembele, who drifted around at will. Would’ve wanted to have led the way.
JAKUB KIWIOR: 6
Had the occasional shaky pass at the back. Nearly set up Mikel Merino in the first half and was quick on his feet.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 6.5
Kept alert and was always looking for through balls. One should have been finished by Gabriel Martinelli on stroke of half-time.
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6
Spent most of the evening pressing the PSG defence. Wasn’t able to produce the passes to create key moments.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard failed to exert any real influence on the semi-final first leg
DECLAN RICE: 7
Had to work overtime with no Thomas Partey next to him. His free-kick provided Mikel Merino with a goal which was chalked off for offside.
MIKEL MERINO: 6
A drop off from his recent displays, not helped by being played in a deep midfield role rather than up top. His header was offside.
BUKAYO SAKA: 6
Was often stuck in his own half on defensive duties because of PSG’s attacking threat. Shouldn’t have been booked.
Bukayo Saka endured a frustrating night and was incorrectly booked to cap off his evening
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 5.5
Barely got on the ball. His attempt on 56 minutes was accurate but well-saved by the keeper. Crucial chance.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 5.5
Should have scored on the stroke of half-time but denied by Donnarumma. Massive moment which would’ve changed the tie.
MANAGER – MIKEL ARTETA: 6
Out thought by Luis Enrique. His midfield without Partey looked disjointed.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lost the tactical battle with PSG counterpart Luis Enrique
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (4-3-3)
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA: 7.5
Spread himself wide to deny Martinelli in first half and denied Trossard later on. Big saves. Looked comfortable on the ball.
ACHRAF HAKIMI: 6.5
Rapid on breaks forward and made himself available around the area. Did found himself out of position at times.
MARQUINHOS: 6.5
Looked vulnerable in the air on duels but wasn’t tested enough by the opposition. Good positioning.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made multiple great saves – including this one from Gabriel Martinelli
WILLIAN PACHO: 6
Defensively the weaker link compared to his partner. Was helped by Arsenal offering limited threat in first half.
NUNO MENDES: 7.5
Made some world-class passes from the back to bypass opposition press. Dealt with Saka well.
JOAO NEVES: 7
Made a solid tackle to stop Merino in the area before half-time. Complemented Vitinha well in the midfield area.
VITINHA: 8
Often found himself in right place at right time. Made lots of passes across the middle, a bundle of energy.
FABIAN RUIZ: 6.5
Showed good technical play and physically faced up to the opposition. A good blend with his team-mates.
DESIRE DOUE: 6.5
Some energetic dribbles at the opposition and looked at threat later in match. His strike on 31 minutes required a good save.
Desire Doue probed the Arsenal defence with some good dribbles but it wasn’t his best match
OUSMANE DEMBELE: 7.5
Set the tone with an early goal after four minutes. Didn’t shy away from getting back and helping out in pressing.
KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA: 7.5
Arsenal defence panicked whenever he was on the ball, with three players man-marking him at times. Assisted Dembele for his goal.
MANAGER – LUIS ENRIQUE: 7
Got his tactics spot on to overcome a defensive Arsenal side.
Luis Enrique got his tactics spot on as his PSG side left north London with a 1-0 first-leg lead
Referee
SLAVKO VINCIC: 5.5
Some inconsistent decisions, including to book Saka.
