ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.
The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.
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Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.
Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.
But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.
With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.
But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.
PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan. Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris.
David Raya – 7/10
Such was Arsenal’s early dominance, the Spaniard had very little to do.
So it would have been even more frustrating to pick the ball out of his net from practically PSG’s first big chance, having watched Kvaratskhelia smack his far post moments earlier.
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He was in conversation for a few minutes with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana before the penalty, and it paid off as he tipped it past his left post for a corner.
Nothing he could do about PSG finally making it 2-0 three minutes later.
Jurrien Timber – 7
The Dutchman was targeted constantly by Kvaratskhelia in the first leg, and struggled as a result. This time, he had a point to prove, and at times he did.
Cutting inside with the ball, he was so effective in putting Arsenal in promising positions to attack and tear apart the PSG midfield in the opening 15 minutes.
And in defence, Kvaratskhelia barely got a sniff. The one time he did, he curled an effort onto Raya’s post.
William Saliba – 7
One poor moment was an underhit pass to Kiwior that was pounced upon and nearly converted, but other than that, the Frenchman was a rock in Paris.
He was one of the reasons why PSG were not as potent in attack in this second leg, oozing confidence and calm. He did not get many chances to attack a good set-piece, however.
Jakub Kiwior – 6
Did nothing wrong at the back, but he just does not have the physical presence from attacking set-pieces that the injured Gabriel does.
It’s not his fault. No matter how well he plays or how few mistakes he makes, Kiwior will always be compared to the Brazilian, and had he been fit, Arsenal may well be in a Champions League final.
On a positive note, if Arsenal are to sell the Pole this summer, his transfer value has now increased significantly having navigated the latter stages of Europe’s biggest competition.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 5
A night where the teenager perhaps looked his age, having played for most of his breakthrough campaign like a seasoned pro.
He was brilliant at times under pressure on the ball, but then the errors and lapses in concentration appeared, and that’s when he really started to struggle.
After PSG went 1-0 up, a poor pass inside his own half handed the hosts a counter-attacking opportunity that should have ended up in the net.
Arteta decided to persist with the 18-year-old after the break, only for Lewis-Skelly to pick up a 56th minute booking, something he really did not need.
To cap off a poor night, an outstretched hand to block a shot was deemed a penalty after a VAR check. He was quickly subbed off.
Thomas Partey – 6
A welcome return having missed the first leg due to suspension, and immediately improved Arsenal’s midfield, as well as nullifying PSG’s press.
The Gunners look so much more controlled and balanced with the Ghanaian in the team, but he still has the sorts of games that make you want to tear your hair out.
It was summed up for PSG’s second – the one that killed any chance of reaching the final – as Partey was too weak in a challenge on the edge of the box, the ball ending up in Raya’s bottom corner.
Declan Rice – 6
He called for “big balls and magic moments” in the pre-match build-up.
But when it came to actually sticking one of those magic moments away, he fluffed his lines inside the opening three minutes, heading wide from Timber’s cross after just three minutes.
It was one of three big chances missed by Arsenal, which really set the tone, and Rice was unable to conjure up any more magic.
Not a bad performance, but without the required sprinkling of magic to really drive a team to a major final.
Martin Odegaard – 6
The Norwegian was in the spotlight in Paris, widely criticised for his recent performances, and even some ludicrous suggestions that he should be stripped of the captaincy.
He turned up in the first half here, dictating and weaving and creating in tight pockets of space, and was unlucky not to see his thumping effort from range creep inside the post before it was palmed away by the huge hand of Donnarumma.
Faded away slightly after the break, just when Arsenal needed something special.
Bukayo Saka – 6
He had the beating of Mendes again and was so dangerous cutting in, but just couldn’t manoeuvre enough space in the first half to test Donnarumma.
That changed in the second half. He could have had a hat-trick in truth. Donnarumma tipped a brilliant curled thump over the bar in the 64th minute.
But Saka persisted and got his goal 12 minutes later. The comeback could have well and truly been on had he not blazed over the bar with Donnarumma scrambling and an open goal gaping.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Should have tucked away an opener from close range but for a great Donnarumma stop.
He looked at it from the first whistle, skinning Hakimi a few times down the left and worked incredibly hard defensively.
And yet, there was not much else. The Brazilian simply needs to do more if he has a long-term future at Arsenal, with the club looking to bolster in his position on the left wing this summer.
He was also involved in PSG’s first goal, diving in too soon on Ruiz before his emphatic finish.
Mikel Merino – 5
A really uneventful evening following his return to the No.9 position.
There were a few good flick-ons and hold-ups that helped Arsenal garner some momentum.
But overall, his presence was just a constant reminder of what Arsenal are lacking in that position and what they need to find if they are to compete for major trophies and reach semi-finals and finals in the future.
Subs
RIiccardo Calafiori (for Lewis-Skelly, 68) – 6
A few decent crosses from the left, giving something different to what Lewis-Skelly offers in that role. Good to see the Italian back after weeks out with a knee issue.
Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli, 68) – 6
Created Saka’s goal with a fine bit of wing play and delivery. Should he have started over Martinelli? Hindsight is a wonderful thing…