Arsenal given wake-up call by PSG but now know how they can seal Champions League comeback

Mikel Arteta will be grateful for small mercies after a chastening night in the Champions League.

And the biggest consolation will be that Arsenal are still in the semi final tie ahead of next week’s return leg in the Parc des Princes. It could have been one hell of a lot worse because Arteta’s men were outclassed, outmanoeuvred and outfought by Paris Saint Germain who gave Arsenal a proper schooling.

PSG could have won by more goals as the Emirates felt horribly flat at times because the fans could not lift their team as Arsenal were miles off the team which blew Real Madrid away in the last round. The French champions were just too good. PSG have produced the best performances in this season’s Champions League and Arsenal struggled to live with them.

Luis Enrique’s men were polished, slick and, having already knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa, they clearly have their sights set on a third English scalp in the knock-out stages. You can look for excuses or reasons - the suspended Thomas Partey was a big miss in midfield - but Arsenal have fallen short in this season’s title race and ultimately they fell short again this time.

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There must also be a lesson for Arsenal in that you cannot turn performances on and off and they could not lift themselves from the drop off in form in the Premier League. It is now a worry for Arteta as they have still not secured their Champions League place for next season but have to balance Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth between the two PSG ties.

Arsenal looked overwhelmed by the whole occasion and only when they mixed it with some proper old school blood and thunder did they threaten to haul themselves back into the contest. Leandro Trossard saw a big chance brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma who also denied Gabriel Martinelli while a VAR offside check ruled out Mikel Merino’s false hope of an equaliser just after half time.

But as the clock ticked down, it was PSG who looked more likely to score again as they exposed Arsenal on the break with substitutes Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola going close. Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic made himself public enemy No1 with some fussy decisions and he booked Bukayo Saka who kicked the ball away in sheer frustration.

But surely we have had enough refereeing conspiracy theories this season because Arsenal should be looking closer to home than at the officials. Arteta did at least get the big atmosphere he wanted as the Arsenal manager even made a pre-recorded video address to the crowd before kick-off, trying to whip them up.

It felt like a big occasion and the Emirates was as loud as it has ever been - but even that did not last long. PSG were ahead inside four minutes and that really killed the mood. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was given acres of space down the left and his clever pull back found Ousmane Dembele swept his low shot through a crowd of players to leave Arsenal keeper David Raya unsighted and the ball flew in off the far post.

Kvaratskhelia gave Jurrien Timber arguably the hardest game of his Arsenal career while Portugal star Vitinha delivered another midfield masterclass. PSG dominated in the first half an hour and Arsenal did rouse themselves but did not create enough chances. Even when Merino headed in from Declan Rice’s 47th minute free kick, the Arsenal midfielder had not got himself back onside from the set piece routine. It was ruled out.

The stadium fell flat. The fans could see for themselves and virtually everyone left feeling the same: it could have been worse. Arsenal will go to Paris next week with a puncher’s chance but they will have to play one hell of a lot better to land a killer blow.

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