Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage as PSG progressed to face Inter Milan in the final following victory at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scored for Luis Enrique’s side as the French champions emerged 2-1 winners on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Bukayo Saka pulled one back for Mikel Arteta’s men but it could have been a very different story were it not for an inspired performance from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who pulled off several wonderful saves early on after the Gunners started strongly in Paris.
Vitinha saw his second-half penalty saved but it proved to have little bearing on the tie as PSG moved one step closer to winning the trophy that has for so long eluded them.
🥹 Parisians, you are in the final of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! #PSGARS I #UCL pic.twitter.com/5seXYzET6W
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 7, 2025
Arsenal all guns blazing
Only two teams – Ajax and Tottenham – had ever reached the Champions League final following a home defeat in the first leg.
And Arsenal, following the 1-0 loss at the Emirates last week, thought they might be about to add their names to that exclusive list after an electric start in the French capital.
Inside three minutes, the returning Jurrien Timber swung a ball in from the right that was met by the rising Declan Rice but the England midfielder could only nod his header wide.
Moments later, Donnarumma was called into action after Gabriel Martinelli found space in the box from Thomas Partey’s throw-in but the towering Italian shot-stopper saved well with his knee.
WHAT A SAVE!
Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a phenomenal stop to deny Martin Ødegaard, what a tie he’s having 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/IG8Kv3hkXn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025
It was a statement of intent from Arteta’s side. Donnarumma again saved sublimely, this time from Martin Odegaard, whose shot from the edge of the area seemed destined for the bottom corner.
Ten minutes in, and Arsenal could have been two goals to the good. PSG were stunned.
But the French champions always pose a threat. Against the run of play, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was inches away from giving the hosts the lead when his curling effort bounced back off the post.
Ruiz rocket puts PSG in control
As an absorbing first 20 minutes ticked away, William Saliba’s misplaced pass was very nearly punished by Desire Doue, but the teenager’s shot lacked the necessary venom to beat David Raya.
For Arsenal fans, it proved to be an ill omen. Five minutes later, a free-kick headed out by Partey fell only as far as Ruiz. The Spain international took one touch before unleashing a sumptuous hit that gave Raya no chance.
WHAT. A. STRIKE. 🚀
Fabian Ruiz extends PSG’s aggregate lead over Arsenal to 2-0 with unbelievable power and technique 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/HwAy0GspYS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025
Luis Enrique’s side were now firmly in the driving seat. As the half drew to a close, the mood in the Parc des Princes had notably shifted.
The Gunners could not repeat the electric start they produced in the first 45. Myles Lewis-Skelly picked up a booking after tangling with Bradley Barcola, while Donnarumma punched away a couple of Arsenal balls in the box.
With the semi-final slowly slipping out of the Gunners’ grasp, Saka cut inside before bending a shot that looked top corner-bound but again the PSG goalkeeper saved wonderfully.
RAYA SAVES IT!
David Raya gets down quickly and saves Vitinha’s penalty to keep Arsenal alive in the tie 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/INxWgld05Z
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025
Just as Arsenal were beginning to show some second-half promise, the hosts were awarded a penalty following a VAR check that deemed Lewis-Skelly guilty of a handball from Hakimi’s shot.
Vitinha stepped up but, after a slow, creeping run-up, saw his effort saved by Raya.
It could have been the spark to ignite the Gunners. But, in the end, it mattered little when, moments later, Hakimi struck to seemingly end the game as a contest.
Too little, too late
Arsenal, however, were not dead and buried. Saka pulled one back with 15-minutes remaining and the England winger then had the chance to make it a nervy last period for the hosts but he fired over with the goal at his mercy.
It was a huge opportunity missed. Merino flicked a header wide late on but Arsenal failed to trouble PSG any further and the French champions marched on to Munich.
