Arteta calls on Arsenal to produce a ‘special’ comeback against PSG

LONDON, April 30 — Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to produce a “special” comeback performance after Ousmane Dembele’s early goal gave Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

Dembele netted in the fourth minute at the Emirates Stadium, and despite chances at both ends, Arsenal couldn’t find an equaliser in a closely contested match.

PSG missed two late opportunities to extend their lead, with Goncalo Ramos hitting the crossbar and Bradley Barcola firing wide. Arsenal also threatened, with Gianluigi Donnarumma pulling off excellent saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Unlike their commanding first-leg wins against PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid in previous rounds, the Gunners now face a tougher challenge as they head to Paris on May 7, seeking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.

Arteta, whose team is yet to lift the Champions League trophy, remains confident.

“We’re only at half-time. Just like after we beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the quarter-final first leg, my message is the same: we need to go to Paris and win, and we can do that,” he said.

“To reach the Champions League final, you need to do something special — and that’s what we must do in Paris. We still have a great chance.”

After a slow start, Arteta revealed that a key tactical adjustment midway through the first half helped his side regain control against a PSG team that has already knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa and topped Manchester City earlier in the tournament.

“There was one issue we had to correct, and once we did, we turned the game around,” he said. “We had two one-on-ones with Donnarumma — if either goes in, it’s a different game. But in this competition, small margins make a huge difference.”

PSG, also chasing their first Champions League crown, will take confidence from their composed performance and early lead, though coach Luis Enrique remains cautious.

“The atmosphere was incredible, but the early goal gave us confidence,” he said. “The match was full of chances. It could’ve gone either way.”

A former mentor to Arteta, Luis Enrique praised Arsenal and said PSG must stay focused in the return leg.

“Our goal is to win the second leg at home. We can’t be complacent. Arsenal can change the game in an instant — they have nothing to lose now, and we have to be ready.” — AFP