Paul Merson: Arsenal is scared of Paris Saint-Germain in first leg of the Champions League semifinal | Football News

Speak in his latest column Sky movement” Paul Merson's judgment against Arsenal's Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain as the Gunners lost 1-0 1-0 after an early goal by Ousmane Dembele.

I just think the players are nervous. This is a big football game. This is the semi-final of the Champions League. These players have never been in the semifinals before. They are not experienced professionals. You will become nervous as much money as you make.

I just thought they were nervous. PSG came out and achieved early goals, they put them on the shelf.

Like Arsenal was a little scared, I thought they thought: "If we allow another goal here, we've left the Cup. We're actually out of the Cup tie.

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Sky Sports' Peter Smith and Dougie Critchley explain why there is hope that Arsenal will be able to put their semifinals against PSG

I know this didn't happen in another semifinal against Inter as they faced Barcelona 2-0. Barcelona is different from Arsenal.

Arsenal is back steadily back to the game, but they will be disappointed. There are certain games in your life that you think, “I probably did more in that game”. And I think after the game, there are a lot of players who will sit in the locker room or go home to sleep and think, “I didn’t really show up.”

It happened. You just hope it won't happen on the big stage of the big game and it will be done Tuesday night.

"Odegaard must appear in turn 2"

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard responded after the Champions League semi-finals at the Emirates Stadium in London. Image date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
image: Martin Odegaard failed to make a big difference in the first round

They were incredibly missing out on Thomas Party. It stopped Declan Rice Bombing bombardment forward.

Currently, Declan plays with anyone. He was bombing forward, running, entering the box. One of their only chances - Leandro Trossard Chance - broke out from Declan Rice. We didn't get that much because of the position he had to play.

Martin Odegaard will have to show up. I'm a big fan of Odegaard but didn't perform the night before.

But they have another chance. The night before, they should have been blown away completely by this game. They have a chance to PSG.

I think it depends on the first goal. I think if Arsenal scored as the first goal, it would eliminate Tuesday's performance and the game started. But I think if Paris Saint-Germain scores first, then I can't see any reward.

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Oliver Yew and James Savundra review Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain

I know people would say, "Well, Villa fell 4-1,' but Villa was at home. They had nothing to lose. They had a right ball, scored two goals in three minutes and then got back to the game.

People would say, "Oh, Arsenal won the championship at the Bernabeu, but Arsenal won the last kick of the game and Gabriel Martinelli left the defender in one minute. If it was 1-1 on the Prince's ace, then PSG wouldn't play football.

I think Arsenal is against it, but with Partey Back you never know.

"Fans are as nervous as players"

You get there, they are singing "North London Forever" and the atmosphere is great, and then after four minutes it pops up with a PSG score.

Supporters held a large Arsenal flag between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in London, England before the Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in London, England.
image: Arsenal showed TIFO before kickoff

Of course, it will frustrate you. It deflates the players. It became a fan. Fans will be nervous. They are coming out, it's the semi-finals and you have an incredible chance to win the Champions League, they've never done it.

I just think it attracts everyone and I think that goal is crucial in the first four minutes. I think it's simple to think that fans are as nervous as the players do.

This is just one of the situations where that target killed the game for me in the first 20 minutes. Arsenal felt nervous and PSG started playing around them. PSG looks like Harlem Globetrotters, and that's how it puts it out.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives his own thoughts after losing 1-0 to PSG

Arsenal has several chances. I think they did a great job of getting back to the game without having to take a half. But they lost 1-0, probably 3-0.

They are back now and they have a chance, but if I were honest, I wouldn't give them too many opportunities.

Can Arsenal overturn the first leg deficit to reach the CL final?

Of course, they have a chance. They are a good team, Arsenal, and have not become a bad team overnight.

I saw PSG destroy Liverpool, but they still lost the game. How did Liverpool play in the game? Liverpool won the football match.

Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring against Arsenal
image: PSG's Ousmane Dembele celebrates his winner at Arsenal

Because they only lost 1-0, they don't have to score goals in the first 10 minutes. I think as long as they can get through the first 20 minutes and keep quiet at Parc des Princes, it will be an incredible atmosphere.

They don't have to score immediately, so they have to be patient and play the game and make sure they stay in this game as long as possible. Then within the last 20 to 25 minutes, go correctly and kick them off, open the game and see what happens.

Because there is no need to worry, PSG, the longer the game goes 1-0, the more intense it becomes. They have an incredible opportunity to win the Champions League where the players and talents they once had, we never really thought they could win the championship, and now they are going to feel nervous.

So, I think Arsenal has to stay in the game. I think the first 20 minutes are very important. I think if Arsenal could get in 0-0 in the first half, you would never know.