Three things we learned as PSG eliminate Arsenal en route to Champions League final | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain’s European dreams came a little closer after goals from Fabián Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi helped the club into the Champions League final at the expense of Arsenal. A 2-1 win on the night (3-1 on aggregate) means that the Ligue 1 side have secured a spot in Munich where they will take on Internazionale.

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s reputation transformed?

Since joining the club from AC Milan on a free transfer in 2021, Gianluigi Donnarumma has carved out a reputation for disappointing performances on Champions League nights. High-profile errors had become a calling card and a meme in equal measure, leaving the Italian goalkeeper at the centre of the club’s most recent heartbreaks. However, times are a-changing.

There has been a transformation in Donnarumma’s status in the French capital following his penalty shootout heroics against Liverpool in the quarter-final. The goalkeeper is no longer considered a liability but someone that the club now sees as a core part of their future, so much so that they’ve reportedly dropped their interest in recruiting Lucas Chevalier as competition.

A long-term deal is now on the horizon for Donnarumma, and the trust that Les Parisiens are willing to show was richly rewarded tonight, as the Italian international helped PSG weather the early Arsenal maelstrom. The Gunners fired forward with Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard forcing Donnarumma into saves that were as vital as they were spectacular.

PSG adapt to Arsenal’s pressure

Arsenal came to conquer the Parc des Princes, and it looked as if they were to deliver on that promise. As they put out a far better performance than in the first leg. They pressed high and choked their hosts in the early stage, catching them in a terrible trap. PSG could not find a way through the press, and when they tried to play over it, the Arsenal centre-backs stepped up to use their physicality to sweep up the ball.

It’s hard not to think the return of Thomas Partey to the midfield (missing from the first leg due to suspension) had a huge part to play in this in the early exchanges (although he later had a part to play in both of PSG’s goals). His presence was missed at the Emirates, and with him back at the base of the midfield three, Declan Rice could take up more advanced roles and create a more effective press.

For the first fifteen minutes, PSG were blunted, however, this began to shift as PSG looked to adapt their game plan and cede control of possession to Arsenal. Les Parisiens attempted to hit in transition and progress the ball up the pitch as fast as possible so they could then use the pace of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola to create opportunities on the break.

Ousmane Dembélé returns to exorcise PSG’s demons

Ousmane Dembélé had been a doubt ahead of this game. The winger turned number nine had been the difference in the first leg, scoring in the fourth minute to give PSG a narrow lead ahead of tonight’s decider. However, he was then forced off the pitch after he picked up an injury to his hamstring.

The reports during the week had suggested that it was touch and go, with the Ligue 1 side hopeful that he would play some part in the match. The good news for PSG during the warmup was that Dembélé would be on the bench, and midway into the second half, he was introduced back into the side.

The forward played his part in helping PSG score their second of the evening as he set up the fullback Achraf Hakimi. His introduction helped to deliver some control to the hosts, and it was no surprise that they looked far more comfortable with their talisman on the pitch as they sealed a hard-fought victory and their place in the Champions League final.

PSG have often stumbled at this step, but tonight was different. A mature performance from a young squad gave them a deserved place in the final and a shot at reaching their Holy Grail.

GFFN | Nick Hartland