Paris Saint-Germain may have edged closer to a long-awaited UEFA Champions League final, but Arsenal legend Thierry Henry remains optimistic about his former side’s chances of turning the tie around in the second leg. The French giants claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the semi-final, placing them in pole position to reach the final in Munich on May 31. However, Henry insists the Gunners are still very much alive in the contest.
Mikel Arteta’s men entered the tie full of confidence following their sensational 3-0 dismantling of Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. Hopes were high in North London, with supporters dreaming of a first Champions League final appearance since 2006. But within minutes of kick-off, PSG silenced the home crowd.
Ousmane Dembele’s clinical fourth-minute strike proved to be the difference on the night. The French winger, known for his blistering pace and unpredictability, took full advantage of some sluggish Arsenal defending to slot home a composed finish past David Raya. That early goal forced Arsenal onto the back foot and set the tone for a frustrating evening.
The Parisians dominated large portions of the first half, enjoying nearly 70% possession in the opening 20 minutes. Arsenal, usually so composed under pressure, found themselves chasing shadows as PSG’s midfield trio of Vitinha, Manuel Ugarte, and Warren Zaïre-Emery dictated the tempo with poise and maturity beyond their years.
Despite the early setback, Arsenal gradually found their footing and created a few chances of their own. Gabriel Martinelli’s curling effort late in the first half forced a stunning fingertip save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who would go on to produce several world-class stops throughout the night. The Italian shot-stopper was arguably PSG’s unsung hero, preserving their precious lead.
Mikel Arteta remained defiant after the match. “It’s just half-time,” the Spaniard told reporters. “We said the same thing when we beat Real Madrid at home. Now, we go to Paris to win. We’ve done it before, and I fully believe we can do it again.”
The Arsenal manager’s words echo the sentiment expressed by club legend Thierry Henry, who offered an honest yet hopeful analysis of the game. Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry admitted PSG were the better side on the night but urged fans not to give up hope just yet.
“There’s another 90 minutes to play,” said Henry. “PSG were clearly superior in the first leg, but we’ve seen stranger things in football. Arsenal need to change a lot in Paris, but they’re capable. We saw what happened between PSG and Barcelona last year — nothing is over until it’s over.”
Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer, also pointed out a key moment in the match that could offer a clue for the second leg. “As soon as Dembele came off, PSG started sitting deeper,” he explained. “That gave Arsenal the opportunity to press higher. If Arsenal can maintain that pressure in the second leg, it could change everything.”
One major concern for PSG will be their missed chances. The French side could’ve easily doubled or tripled their lead but failed to convert clear-cut opportunities. Kylian Mbappe, unusually quiet on the night, skied a one-on-one late in the second half, while Hakimi struck the woodwork. Those misses might come back to haunt them in Paris.
For Arsenal, the task is difficult but not impossible. They’ve lost just once away from home in this season’s Champions League, a stat that will offer encouragement heading into the return leg at Parc des Princes on May 7.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Neither club has ever lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy. Arsenal came close in 2006, only to fall short against Barcelona, while PSG lost the 2020 final to Bayern Munich. A win in this tie would be a historic step for either side.
Meanwhile, data analysts at Opta’s supercomputer gave PSG a 38.2% chance of winning the Champions League after their first-leg victory. Barcelona are close behind at 28.7%, while Inter Milan, who face Barca in the other semi-final, have an 18.1% chance. Arsenal trail with a 15% probability — slim, but not negligible.
Adding to the intrigue, reports from PSG’s medical team suggest a potential injury concern for one of their key defenders, Marquinhos, who limped off with a hamstring issue. If he’s ruled out of the second leg, it could tilt the balance slightly in Arsenal’s favor.
From a tactical standpoint, Arteta may need to tweak his approach. Starting Kai Havertz in midfield backfired against PSG’s press, and a more physical presence might be required in the return fixture. Bringing in Thomas Partey or Jorginho from the start could help Arsenal regain control in midfield battles.
The North London outfit will also need their attacking trio of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Martinelli to rediscover their chemistry. The trio were largely neutralized in the first leg, but with more space and a better game plan, they could thrive on the counterattack in Paris.
The atmosphere at Parc des Princes is expected to be electric, with PSG fans sensing their best shot at a title since the COVID-hit 2020 campaign. But Arsenal will take heart from their own impressive away form and the resilience they showed in Madrid.
As the countdown begins for the decisive second leg, the message from both Arteta and Henry is clear: don’t write Arsenal off just yet.
The road to Munich is steep, but for a club craving European glory and a fanbase longing for continental validation, the dream is still alive — flickering, but alive.
