Arsenal will need a comeback in Paris after a 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Emirates. A fourth-minute goal by Ousmane Dembélé—after a slick 26-pass build-up by PSG—exposed several tactical and positional errors by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.

Breakdown of Arsenal’s Errors That Led to Dembélé’s Goal

1. Dembélé Left in Space

PSG’s goal began with calm possession in their own half. Nuno Mendes played a superb line-breaking pass from left-back into central midfield, bypassing Arsenal’s high press. The move exposed Arsenal’s structural gaps, particularly with how far PSG’s No. 9 dropped to drag defenders away.

“Credit to them,” said Arteta post-match. “They got out of a situation that was completely closed. That’s what they do – they exploit the weak side.”

2. The Missing Presence of Thomas Partey

Suspended due to a yellow card against Real Madrid, Thomas Partey’s absence was glaring. As pundit Daniel Sturridge noted, “No Partey, no party.” Without him anchoring the midfield, Dembélé found space too easily, with neither Declan Rice nor Martin Ødegaard close enough to cut off the play.

3. Declan Rice Caught in Two Minds

Though one of Arsenal’s best performers, Rice’s positioning for the goal proved costly. When Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received the ball on the left, Rice drifted toward full-back Jurrien Timber to help defend. That move left a central gap for Dembélé to exploit, drifting back into the space and positioning himself for the return pass.

4. Mikel Merino Goes Zonal, Not Man-Marking

Mikel Merino tracked back well but chose to cover the penalty spot rather than close down Dembélé directly. Had Merino marked Dembélé more tightly, the PSG forward may not have had such a clean shot. However, a lack of defensive awareness from the rest of Arsenal’s backline compounded the issue.

“You have to recognise the talent of the opponents,” Arteta said. “These are the margins at this level.”

5. A Familiar Pattern

The goal bore similarities to one PSG scored against Liverpool at Anfield. In both cases, PSG lured pressure to one side, before using their midfield quality to unlock space centrally for Dembélé. With Kvaratskhelia and Hakimi stretching Arsenal wide, the central lane was left exposed—again.

What’s Next for Arsenal?

The 1-0 defeat means Arsenal must win in Paris to reach just their second Champions League final in club history. The second leg at Parc des Princes will be a major test of Arteta’s tactical adjustments and his players’ resilience under pressure.