As Arsenal faced off against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a high-stakes semi-final, the atmosphere was electric. But within just minutes, it was clear that things were not going according to plan for Mikel Arteta and his squad.

The opening 20 minutes saw Arsenal stifled under the relentless pressure of the PSG machine. The Parisians swarmed the pitch, making Arsenal look like mere spectators in their own stadium—pressing hard, dominating every sector, with players appearing as if they were multiplying on the field.

PSG's tactical execution showcased their improvement under Luis Enrique. Unlike the often frivolous flair of past iterations, this PSG is structured, disciplined, and fully aware of their strengths. They were able to neutralize Arsenal's hallmark intensity, literally out-pressing them.

Arteta had rallied his team and the home crowd for ‘Big Energy’—a mantra that’s become familiar. But as the match began, it was PSG that burst out of the gate, scoring just four minutes in. Ousmane Dembélé found his way through a gaping hole in Arsenal's defense, assisted by a quick sequence that left the home team scrambling.

Defensive lapses led to criticism of Declan Rice for his choice to help double up on Kvaratskhelia instead of holding his ground, allowing Dembélé the space he needed to strike.

Arsenal, already on the back foot, struggled to regain control. Rice’s attempts to power through the midfield were consistently thwarted by PSG's well-drilled tactics, making every pass feel laborious. Much of the match revolved around whether Arsenal could withstand PSG's unyielding pressure.

Gone were the days of Neymar’s antics; this was a disciplined PSG focused on results—and they quickly capitalized on Arsenal's faltering defenses. In a near-reversal of roles, Arsenal had to adapt to being outplayed in their own home.

Despite showing glimpses of resilience, like Myles Lewis-Skelly stepping up in midfield, Arsenal ultimately lacked key players like Gabriel and Thomas Partey to anchor their defense and control the game. The match underscored the Gunners' vulnerabilities and the gaps needing to be filled if they want to compete against top-tier teams.

PSG emerged not just as victors on the night, but as a stark reminder of how far Arsenal must go. The French club’s blend of skill and pressure proved too much for the Gunners, who must regroup and reflect on what went wrong as they look ahead to the second leg.