PSG (3) 2-1 (1) Arsenal: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Luis Enrique’s men book their place in Munich to face Inter Milan

Paris Saint-Germain will face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich at the end of the month after finishing the job in the French capital at home to Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final clash this evening, winning 2-1 at the Parc des Princes and advancing 3-1 on aggregate.

Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring with a deflected volley in the first half, before Achraf Hakimi added a second just minutes after Vitinha had missed from the penalty spot for Luis Enrique‘s side, with Bukayo Saka‘s goal in the final 15 minutes proving to be little more than a consolation in the end.

Arsenal were dominant for the opening 25 minutes, as Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard were denied brilliantly by Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Gunners failing to capitalise on their early pressure, but after pulling a goal back on 76 minutes, Saka then squandered a golden opportunity with the goal at his mercy moments later that would have narrowed the deficit back to one.

The task proved to be insurmountable for Arsenal though, as the Gunners fall at the semi-final hurdle, just as they did when they last reached this stage in 2009, while PSG book their place in a second Champions League final in five years.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

© Imago

The most eye-catching team in the Champions League this season will deservedly walk out for its showpiece event in a few weeks, as Enrique’s men have overcome a fourth English team in the competition this season.

Truth be told, PSG have made lighter work of each opponent as they have advanced through the competition, needing to come from 2-0 down to beat Manchester City in the league phase when they were on the brink of elimination, before overturning a deficit at Anfield to knock Liverpool out in the last 16.

Aston Villa proved tricky opponents, but PSG were 5-1 up at one stage in the tie, and they never really looked in too much danger in this semi-final against the Gunners, apart from the opening 25 minutes tonight, and they will be deserved favourites ahead of the final with Inter.

For Arsenal, another trophyless season will raise some questions around manager Mikel Arteta, whose recent semi-final record is extremely concerning.

Their last four semi-final ties have all been over two legs, but all ended in elimination, with Arsenal only managing one draw and two goals across the eight individual matches, and after also coming up well short in the Premier League, a big rethink is required this summer.

PSG vs. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fabian Ruiz goal vs. Arsenal (27th min, PSG (2) 1-0 (0) Arsenal)

PSG strike first at the Parc des Princes and Fabian Ruiz has his first Champions League goal! Thomas Partey fails to clear properly from a set piece, and the Spanish midfielder evades the half-hearted challenge from Martinelli, before unleashing a wonderful strike that deflects off William Saliba, and leaves David Raya with no chance.

Vitinha missed pen vs. Arsenal (69th min, PSG (2) 1-0 (0) Arsenal)

Given the chance to finish the tie off, Vitinha has squandered it with a very tame penalty that Raya gets down to his left to save quite comfortably, and the visitors will claim that is justice served, after a very harsh handball given against Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Hakimi goal vs. Arsenal (72nd min, PSG (3) 2-0 (0) Arsenal)

Arsenal’s brief hopes following the penalty miss are dashed as Hakimi sends PSG to Munich! Very feeble play from Partey on the edge of the area sees him lose possession to Ousmane Dembele, only just introduced off the bench, and he finds the right-back, who buries the chance excellently into Raya’s left-hand corner from just inside the penalty area.

Saka goal vs. PSG (76th min, PSG (3) 2-1 (1) Arsenal)

But wait, is there still hope for Arsenal? Marquinhos takes a tumble on the left flank under pressure from Leandro Trossard, but referee Felix Zwayer is unmoved, and the Belgian’s cross is diverted into the path of Saka via a deflection, with the Arsenal talisman showing composure to take it around Donnarumma and convert to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

MAN OF THE MATCH – JOAO NEVES

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As one-third of the best midfield in Europe at present, Joao Neves was exemplary again in the engine room, bossing proceedings and helping to relieve pressure by calming the game down when Arsenal looked set to throw the kitchen sink at them.

Fabian was also excellent, and got the all-important opening goal, but winning 18 duels, making five clearances, completing three tackles and being successful with over 90% of his passes, it was Neves who shone brightest again.

PSG vs. ARSENAL MATCH STATS

Possession: PSG 46%-54% Arsenal
Shots: PSG 11-19 Arsenal
Shots on target: PSG 6-4 Arsenal
Corners: PSG 2-6 Arsenal
Fouls: PSG 11-11 Arsenal

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

PSG now have two weeks where they can rest and recuperate ahead of the Coupe de France and Champions League finals, and they travel to bottom-of-the-table Montpellier at the weekend, while Arsenal still have to seal their place in the Premier League’s top five, and go to Anfield to face champions Liverpool on Sunday.

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