Arsenal and Paris SG played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal match Tuesday at Emirates Stadium. The result leaves the tie level heading into the second leg.
Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring for PSG early in the match, finding the net in the fourth minute. PSG had controlled possession in the opening minutes before the goal.
Arsenal responded quickly. Leandro Trossard leveled the score for the home side in the 10th minute, bringing the crowd into the match.
The fixture marked a rematch from earlier in the Champions League season. Arsenal defeated PSG 2-0 in their group stage meeting back in October.
Both teams featured their expected lineups. For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta selected David Raya in goal, a defense of Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with a midfield trio of Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Mathieu Merino. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli started in attack.
Luis Enrique fielded Gianluigi Donnarumma for PSG, with Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Pacho, and Nuno Mendes in defense. The midfield included Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz. Désiré Doué started alongside Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the forward line(Source) Bradley Barcola was available from the bench.
Arsenal entered the contest on a strong run in the competition, undefeated in their last eight Champions League matches(Source) PSG arrived having won just one of their last four matches across all competitions, including a recent domestic loss Friday(Source)
The winner of the tie will advance to the Champions League final scheduled for May 31 in Munich(Source) PSG has a historical challenge, having lost all six of their previous two-legged Champions League semifinal appearances.
Match referee Slavko Vincic managed the proceedings. Early in the match, Arsenal had a penalty claim denied(Source)
Mikel Arteta addressed supporters before the match, describing it as one of the most important at Emirates Stadium since its opening(Source)
