PSG Claim Slim Lead Over Arsenal in Champions League Semi-Final as Dembélé Faces Fitness Worry
PSG Seize Initiative but Face Ousmane Dembélé Headache
Paris Saint-Germain grabbed a valuable 1-0 win on Arsenal's turf in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, but the mood in the French camp is cautious following Ousmane Dembélé's worrying muscle injury. The winger set the Emirates crowd on edge right from the start. Just four minutes in, Dembélé broke free on the left, hammered a sharp strike beyond a sprawling David Raya, and put PSG in command. The goal wasn’t just crucial for the night—it was Dembélé’s 20th direct goal involvement in Europe’s top tournament, a milestone that now sees him sharing company with superstar Kylian Mbappé in PSG’s record books.
The opening exchanges saw Arsenal stunned and PSG quick to take control of proceedings. Luis Enrique’s men worked hard to shut down Arsenal’s rhythm, pressing smartly in midfield and forcing their hosts into mistakes. With Dembélé spearheading rapid counterattacks, the danger never seemed far from Arsenal’s box. However, as the match wore on, tension on the PSG bench grew for very different reasons.
Dembélé Injury Overshadows Paris Saint-Germain’s Celebrations
Moments into the second half, all eyes were on Dembélé—not for his darts down the wing, but for his pained limp and clear signs of discomfort as he held his hamstring. By the 70th minute, he called time on his night and walked off, leaving many fans and staff holding their breath. The mood in the press room afterwards was serious. PSG boss Luis Enrique described the situation as a ‘slight discomfort,’ but admitted no one would know precisely how bad it was until tests were completed. For a player who’s just matched a club Champions League record, the timing couldn’t be worse—with a return trip to the Parc des Princes looming.
“We don’t know how bad it is until the tests are done,” Enrique told journalists, shooting down speculation but not ruling out a problem. “We’ll try to have him ready, but we’re a real team. If Ousmane Dembélé can’t play, someone else will step in.” Dembélé’s fitness is now the key subplot of this tie, with PSG needing all their firepower if they're to reach their first Champions League final since their 2020 run.
The narrow win means Arsenal must find a way past a typically stubborn PSG defense in Paris. The Gunners struggled to carve out clear chances after falling behind, with Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka both being marshaled tightly by Marquinhos and Hakimi. Mikel Arteta’s team will need to be far more clinical in the return leg if they want any shot at erasing the deficit.
Enrique cautioned his players against relaxing. “Arsenal have nothing to lose next week—one away goal and everything changes,” he said, hinting at the fine margins in this year’s Champions League knockout rounds. While PSG fans are dreaming of another magical night, there’s no sense of overconfidence—not while Dembélé’s status hangs in the balance.
As the football world waits on his test results, the stage is set for a dramatic night at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday. With both PSG and Arsenal having plenty to prove, expect plenty of nerves and drama—especially if Dembélé makes it back onto the pitch.