Gunners fall at penultimate hurdle as PSG progress to Champions League ultimate

Gunners fall at penultimate hurdle as PSG progress to Champions League ultimate
Gunners fall at penultimate hurdle as PSG progress to Champions League ultimate


Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League on the semi-final stage as PSG progressed to face Inter Milan within the Champions League ultimate following victory on the Parc des Princes.

Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scored for Luis Enrique’s facet because the French champions emerged 2-1 winners on the evening and 3-1 on combination.

Bukayo Saka pulled one again for Mikel Arteta’s males however it may have been a really completely different story had been it not for an impressed efficiency from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who pulled off a number of great saves early on after the Gunners began strongly in Paris.

Vitinha noticed his second-half penalty saved however it proved to have little bearing on the tie as PSG moved one step nearer to successful the trophy that has for thus lengthy eluded them.

Arsenal all weapons blazing

Solely two groups – Ajax and Tottenham – had ever reached the Champions League ultimate following a house defeat within the first leg.

And Arsenal, following the 1-0 loss on the Emirates final week, thought they is perhaps about so as to add their names to that unique record after an electrical begin within the French capital.

Inside three minutes, the returning Jurrien Timber swung a ball in from the suitable that was met by the rising Declan Rice however the England midfielder may solely nod his header vast.

Moments later, Donnarumma was referred to as into motion after Gabriel Martinelli discovered house within the field from Thomas Partey’s throw-in however the towering Italian shot-stopper saved nicely along with his knee.

It was an announcement of intent from Arteta’s facet. Donnarumma once more saved sublimely, this time from Martin Odegaard, whose shot from the sting of the realm appeared destined for the underside nook.

Ten minutes in, and Arsenal may have been two targets to the great. PSG had been shocked.

However the French champions all the time pose a menace. Towards the run of play, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was inches away from giving the hosts the lead when his curling effort bounced again off the put up.

Ruiz rocket places PSG in management

As an absorbing first 20 minutes ticked away, William Saliba’s misplaced go was very practically punished by Need Doue, however the teenager’s shot lacked the mandatory venom to beat David Raya.

For Arsenal followers, it proved to be an in poor health omen. 5 minutes later, a free-kick headed out by Partey fell solely so far as Ruiz. The Spain worldwide took one contact earlier than unleashing a luxurious hit that gave Raya no likelihood.

Luis Enrique’s facet had been now firmly within the driving seat. Because the half drew to an in depth, the temper within the Parc des Princes had notably shifted.

The Gunners couldn’t repeat the electrical begin they produced within the first 45. Myles Lewis-Skelly picked up a reserving after tangling with Bradley Barcola, whereas Donnarumma punched away a few Arsenal balls within the field.

With the semi-final slowly slipping out of the Gunners’ grasp, Saka minimize inside earlier than bending a shot that regarded high corner-bound however once more the PSG goalkeeper saved splendidly.

Simply as Arsenal had been starting to indicate some second-half promise, the hosts had been awarded a penalty following a VAR examine that deemed Lewis-Skelly responsible of a handball from Hakimi’s shot.

Vitinha stepped up however, after a gradual, creeping run-up, noticed his effort saved by Raya.

It may have been the spark to ignite the Gunners. However, ultimately, it mattered little when, moments later, Hakimi struck to seemingly finish the sport as a contest.

Too little, too late

Arsenal, nevertheless, weren’t lifeless and buried. Saka pulled one again with 15-minutes remaining and the England winger then had the prospect to make it a nervy final interval for the hosts however he fired over with the purpose at his mercy.

It was an enormous alternative missed. Merino flicked a header vast late on however Arsenal failed to bother PSG any additional and the French champions marched on to Munich.





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