Kenan Yildiz, Leandro Trossard, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Photo by Valerio Pennicino, Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Arsenal vs PSG was frustrating, but the tie isn’t over yet
It was a really frustrating night for Arsenal against PSG.
There was so much excitement, expectation and anticipation ahead of the game given what had happened against Real Madrid, but things just all fell a bit flat.
I know there has been lots of talk about the atmosphere, but the stadium was absolutely bouncing before kick-off, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard it so loud.
But the early goal just seemed to burst the bubble. It sucked the life out of the place and things never really got going again.
PSG were excellent in that opening half an hour. The goal obviously gave them a real boost early on and they gave Arsenal the toughest test they have been given by any team this season.
To be fair to Arsenal I thought they got themselves back into the game after that and it was all pretty even from that point onwards.
They could have easily got themselves level, but Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off two fabulous saves to deny them. The one from Leandro Trossard in the second half was absolutely fantastic.
But at the other end PSG could also have extended their lead with late chances for Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos, so things could have been worse for Arsenal.
The fact is they are still in that tie and that’s something they have to hang on to right. They have got an incredibly difficult task ahead of them in Paris next week, but if they can go to the Bernabeu and win then they can go to the Parc de Princes and do the same.
They will have Thomas Partey back available and that will be really important.
His absence was huge last night. I thought Declan Rice played well in the holding role, but Arsenal did miss his energy and box crashing runs.
You saw how PSG struggled to cope with him when he surged forward to set up the chance for Trossard, but unfortunately he just wasn’t able to do that enough…
..
