Arsenal’s hopes of returning to a UEFA Champions League final after 19 years took a significant hit following a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney did not hold back in his post-match reaction.
PSG stunned the Emirates crowd early, with Ousmane Dembele converting a precise low cross from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just four minutes into the semi-final first leg.
It was a blow that visibly rattled Mikel Arteta’s side, who had entered the match high on confidence after a famous quarter-final win over Real Madrid, GOAL reports.
From the first whistle, PSG pressed with intensity and purpose. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was immediately called into action to deny Desire Doue with a spectacular save.
While Arsenal managed to regain some composure midway through the first half, they failed to threaten until Gianluigi Donnarumma denied efforts from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal thought they had equalised when Mikel Merino nodded in a Declan Rice free-kick, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Despite their late push, the Gunners could not find a breakthrough, and PSG could have doubled or even tripled their lead if Bradley Barcola or Goncalo Ramos had taken their late chances.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney expressed disappointment in Arsenal’s performance and in the attitude of their fans, One Football reports.
The ex-Manchester United forward blasted the Gunners' performance as he insisted they got carried away after defeating Real Madrid in the previous round.
"PSG could have won today by two or three goals. I was disappointed with Arsenal, and with their fans too," Rooney told media after the game.
"It felt like they thought, 'We beat Real Madrid, so we're already in the final.'" Rooney’s comments highlighted that Arsenal might have underestimated PSG or allowed their previous triumph to cloud their focus.
With the return leg set for Paris next week, Arsenal will need to overturn the one-goal deficit in one of the toughest arenas in Europe.
A place in the final is still within reach, but Arteta’s side will need to show more urgency, discipline, and hunger at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday, qualities that were lacking in the first leg.
🔴⚪️ Mikel Arteta: “It’s half-time and we have a big chance to be in the final”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 29, 2025
“You want to be in Champions League final then you need to do something special… then we are going to need to do something special in Paris”. pic.twitter.com/InLHLv6dS8
❗🗣️ Wayne Rooney: "PSG could have won today by two or three goals. I was disappointed with Arsenal — and with their fans too. It felt like they thought, 'We beat Real Madrid, so we're already in the final.'" pic.twitter.com/jD8vlIiO4I
— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) April 29, 2025
