Arsenal’s European dream was ended by goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi, who earned Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 win on the night and a 3-1 aggregate victory to set up a Champions League final against Inter Milan.
In the same venue that hosted Arsenal’s only Champions League final 19 years ago and tasked with overturning a 1-0 deficit from last week’s first leg, Mikel Arteta’s side burst out of the blocks.
The French champions were under immediate pressure as Declan Rice got under a Jurrien Timber cross to head off target, kickstarting a frantic five-minute spell that required Gianluigi Donnarumma to pull off outstanding stops to keep out Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hit the post as PSG mounted a rare counter, but it was evidence of the threat that Luis Enrique’s side carried despite being second-best early on. A further counter saw Rice drawn into a challenge on Kvaratskhelia to earn himself a yellow and gift PSG a free-kick that ultimately saw Arsenal punished.
Thomas Partey’s half-hearted headed clearance was seized upon by Fabian, who cushioned the ball with his chest to tee up a strike from the edge of the area. Flying at pace, a deflection off William Saliba took it past David Raya.
PSG controlled the early parts of the second half and their initiative after the break earned them a penalty when Achraf Hakimi’s strike brushed the outstretched hand of Myles Lewis Skelly.
Raya denied Vitinha from the penalty spot, potentially handing his side a lifeline. Instead, moments later, Hakimi curled home to double PSG’s lead on the night.
Soon after, Bukayo Saka rounded Donnarumma, who had denied him earlier with a save on the stretch, before slotting home as Arsenal were given some life in the tie.
However, the 23-year-old ultimately blundered the opportunity to level the score on the night and set up a nervy final 15 minutes in Paris when he lifted a chance over the bar from point-blank range.
PSG’s 3-1 win on aggregate ensures their hopes for a treble remain alive, with Ligue 1 already wrapped up and a French Cup final still to play.
