Summary

  1. get involved

    'It pains me to agree with Rooney, but he's right'published at 10:46 British Summer Time

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    As a lifelong Arsenal fan, it pains me to agree with Wayne Rooney, but he's right. The early goal burst the atmosphere last night, and the fans never really got going again. Very underwhelming night in many respects. Credit to PSG who were solid. Still only 1-0 though, anything can happen. COYG.

    Callum, London

  2. 'Damage was done early on'published at 10:40 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 PSG

    Matthew Upson
    Former Arsenal defender on Football Daily podcast

    Yes the damage was done early on. It was a tough start for Arsenal, not just to go behind with the goal, I think it was just the realisation of the swiftness, the aggression that PSG were playing with in an attacking sense.

    I think it was just a bit of a shock early on and it took them a little bit of time in that first half to really get to grips with the game. PSG were doing their thing, they were very confident. It was an excellent game from them I have to say.

    In the second half I felt Arsenal just got into it, got their confidence, realised that physically if they are going to win this game they have got to rely on their physicality.

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - was Rooney right about Emirates atmosphere?published at 10:38 British Summer Time

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    What do you think about Wayne Rooney's comments Arsenal fans?

    Of course, conceding in the fourth minute can suck all of the energy out of a home crowd, and will have fuelled the noisy Paris St-Germain contingent too.

    We would love to hear the thoughts of Arsenal supporters who were at the Emirates Stadium on the atmosphere and whether it differed to other Champions League ties under the lights.

    Get in touch via:

    • X using #bbcfootball
    • WhatsApp on 03301231826
    • Or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Thanks.

  4. 'I was a bit disappointed with how they played, disappointed with the fans as well'published at 10:32 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Wayne Rooney
    Former Man Utd striker on Amazon Prime

    Warning: Some Arsenal fans may find what former England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney had to say about the atmosphere at the Emirates a bit triggering:

    "For Arsenal, I was a bit disappointed with how they played, disappointed with the fans as well," said Rooney on Amazon Prime.

    "The fans against Real Madrid [in Arsenal's 3-0 win in the home leg of their quarter-final] really pushed the team.

    "I thought tonight they were a bit subdued, almost like an anti-climax that they beat Real Madrid and were going to walk into the final and win the competition.

    "I think on both sides, it wasn't good enough for Arsenal."

    Arsenal fans react at Emirates StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  5. What's coming up?published at 10:26 British Summer Time

    We will continue to bring you analysis and reactions from Arsenal's first-leg defeat at home to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

    Coming up, European football expert Julien Laurens on the brilliance of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    Also, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on the absence of Thomas Partey at Emirates Stadium.

    But first, what Wayne Rooney had to say on the atmosphere at Tuesday night's game...

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The biggest difference between Arsenal and PSG was not ability but mentality. PSG believe they will win; Arsenal went in trying to not “die”. The pre half huddles were typical of that lack of belief. Trying to convince who by talking on the pitch like that? They were not ready, they didn’t believe, and Arteta needs to take responsibility for not preparing them mentally.

    Dr David

    Arsenal's huddle before the start of the second halfImage source, Getty Images
  7. Rice v Odegaard - pass mapspublished at 10:16 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 PSG

    Martin Odegaard is a different player to Declan Rice, with a different role and responsibility in Arsenal's midfield.

    But the difference between the two players' pass maps against Paris St-Germain is still difficult to ignore or explain.

    Rice failed with just five of his 50 attempted passes and was pretty much everywhere on the pitch...

    Declan Rice pass map graphicImage source, BBC Sport

    ...whereas Odegaard was less mobile and completed only 20 of 23 attempted passes...

    Martin Odegaard pass map
  8. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Persistently overconfident and falling flat on their faces'published at 10:08 British Summer Time

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    The current Arsenal players remind me of the 2008-10 team. Persistently overconfident and falling flat on their faces at the biggest and most important hurdle.

    Andy

    Slim hope for Arsenal is if Dembele is out of the next game with an injury. But even then it would require Arsenal’s best footballing performance in over 25 years to get through to the final. Arteta, time to earn your bacon.

    James

    I think the phrase is 'bring home the bacon' James, but we know what you mean...

  9. On Odegaard's anonymity...published at 09:58 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    We've had quite a few texts already this morning reflecting on Martin Odegaard's performance - or lack of one - last night.

    The Arsenal captain struggled to have any influence on proceedings yesterday and was ultimately substituted late on as the Gunners searched for an equaliser.

    Replacing Odegaard when chasing a goal may to some have seemed strange but his lack of involvement warranted it.

    No midfielder on the pitch had less touches than Odegaard while only Leandro Trossard (35), Gabriel Martinelli (23) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (39) had less in an Arsenal shirt.

    It adds to what has been a disappointing recent spell for the Norway international who we've become so used to being such an influential figure for the Gunners.

    He hasn't found the net since 4 March while he only has five assists in all competitions in the whole of 2025.

    A graphic of Martin Odegaard's touch map against PSG
  10. Where was Odegaard and Saka?published at 09:55 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Julien Laurens
    European football expert on Football Daily podcast

    Where was [Martin] Odegaard and [Bukayo] Saka? I think Arsenal's big players were not on the level that they should have been or we expected them to be. Whereas Vitinha was man of the match, I think deservedly, and [Ousmane] Dembele scored the only goal of the game.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:53 British Summer Time

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    Hi, Blaine here, Arsenal devotee! PSG were good last night, but what's with Odegaard!? He's been average for weeks now. His spark has definitely gone 😬. Nwaneri should, in my opinion, start against PSG next week. The runs he made, and his overall aggressiveness to win the ball, was by far the better performance, vs Odegaard.

    Blaine, Cornwall

    Could someone please explain to me what Odegaard's role was supposed to be last night? If anything, he lost possession in crucial areas and his passes, especially in the final third, were ineffectual. Running all over the pitch and seemingly urging players on without making any real impact is not good enough from a captain 😔

    Myke, Sheffield

  12. Arsenal's lack of passing accuracypublished at 09:47 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Arsenal players looking dejectedImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal's first-half passing accuracy in the opposition half against Paris St-Germain at Emirates Stadium was 64.9%, down from their season average of 83%.

    It was the lowest of any of the semi-finalists so far this season.

    European football expert Julien Laurens credited PSG's press as the reason.

    He said on the Football Daily podcast: "I think [Virgil] van Dijk said it really well after the Liverpool game, they have never really faced a team like that with that kind of pressing and counter-pressing. The first 40 minutes especially, when they don't let you breathe at all.

    "They are on you all of the time, [Fabian] Ruiz, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembele. Whereas sometimes you have one or two seconds on the ball, against PSG when they are at their best you just don't have that time. It's so difficult to put your game in place."

  13. Could Merino fire Arsenal back into this tie?published at 09:38 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Sadly for Arsenal, they have no such fit centre-forward in their ranks at present JD.

    But Thomas Partey's return for the second leg in Paris would allow Mikel Arteta to push Mikel Merino further forward into that false nine role he has been operating in.

    Merino has scored seven goals since being switched to that position in February, following injuries to regular forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

    Could the Spaniard be the answer in Paris?

    Mikel MerinoImage source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:31 British Summer Time

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    Arsenal are turning into something of a Jekyll and Hyde team, who can be brilliant one week and then average the next. I genuinely believed that the way Madrid were brushed aside, they would've dealt similarly with PSG, but their need for a dedicated striker is glaring. They haven't got a physical centre-forward who can assert themselves in the penalty area, and rely solely on intricate build up, but have not got the sort of deadly finisher they need.

    JD

  15. What should Arsenal's game plan be for PSG return leg?published at 09:27 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    Arsenal having the belief they can win in Paris is obviously one thing, but coming up with a tactical plan to make that happen is an entirely different matter.

    We will have a look at some of the finer details Mikel Arteta will be considering before that second leg, most notably how to get creative players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka firing at the Parc des Princes.

    Bukayo Saka takes the captain's armband from Martin OdegaardImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'Arsenal need to go there with a belief they can win'published at 09:16 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 Paris St-Germain

    Wayne Rooney
    Former Man Utd striker on Amazon Prime

    Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney said on Amazon Prime that Arsenal need to have belief they can turn this tie around in the second leg in Paris:

    "I think Arsenal are used to that over the years. They get to a certain stage and everything falls away. That is not me being negative.

    "What Arsenal need to do is to go there with a belief they can win. I want Arsenal to win, I want them to go to the final, I hope they win the competition, but they have to go into that game with a belief.

    "You've seen with the PSG away fans tonight, Arsenal need to be ready for a real hostile atmosphere. They have to be patient and they have to slow the game down at the right times and when they get their chances, be clinical. That's the only way they'll win over there."

    Wayne RooneyImage source, Getty Images
  17. What's coming up?published at 09:11 British Summer Time

    We will continue to bring you a combination of reaction and analysis throughout the morning following Arsenal's 1-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Paris St-Germain at Emirates Stadium.

    We just heard from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya on his belief that the Gunners can win the second leg in Paris next Wednesday.

    Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney spoke about this in Tuesday night's TV coverage on Amazon Prime.

    Rooney famously helped United win at Arsenal in the second leg of the 2008-09 semi-final to help them reach the final that season...

  18. 'We can win against any team' - Rayapublished at 08:59 British Summer Time

    Arsenal 0-1 PSG

    Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, speaking to Amazon Prime, is firmly in the believer camp: "They dominated the first 15-20 minutes but after that we dominated most of the game, created the chances. They are a top team but credit to the players for the effort - we could've won the game. They had that chance and put it in the net, this is football. We have showed in the season we can win away games too."

    On next week's second leg: "Try to approach the game the same way. We played well, we put them on the backfoot, hurt them and we created a lot of chances as well. We know we can win against any team."

    On his save from Desire Doue: "That's what I'm there for. To help the team and luckily enough I managed to save it and happy with that. Let's go next week in Paris."

    David Raya of Arsenal controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates StadiumImage source, Getty Images