Paris Saint-Germain have booked their place in the Champions League final after a 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate) victory over Arsenal on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. The Parisians went ahead only 27 minutes into the match after a rocket of a shot from Fabian Ruiz following a set piece that Arsenal couldn’t clear. His first Champions League goal ever, Ruiz made sure it was a memorable one. Even with Ousmane Dembele on the bench, their attack had enough to push the Gunners, but Dembele would still make his presence known, assisting Achraf Hakimi for PSG’s second goal.
The Gunners were able to get a goal back via Bukayo Saka, who capitalized on a defensive breakdown, but it was too little, too late after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s massive game in net. With the victory, PSG’s treble hopes live on while they look to be the first team to win a treble involving Champions League since Manchester City in 2022-23, but to do that, they’ll have to triumph in the Coupe de France final and also defeat Inter in Munich on May 31 (which you can watch on Paramount+.) to lift their first Champions League title ever.
Arsenal created plenty of chances, taking 19 shots for an xG of 3.16, but they only put four of those on target. The best of the chances came to Saka, but Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino were held to only four combined shots. Without a recognized striker, Arsenal weren’t able to create enough to push PSG, while the Parisians’ finishing was on display. Even Vitinha missing their first penalty since April of 2024 wasn’t enough to throw PSG off in the match. The defense did just enough, and a young side could now make history.
Youth can be taken as a disadvantage, but for players like Desire Doue and Joao Neves, they don’t have the weight of PSG’s history on them. They’re able to go out and leave everything on the pitch, while for Arsenal, this will now mark five seasons without a trophy. Already losing out on the Premier League title to Liverpool, now it’s down to what’s next for Mikel Arteta and the Gunners to bounce back from this disappointment.
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