For the past two years, a defining characteristic of Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal has been their overwhelming dominance in crucial duels. This trait is a direct result of the intensity Arteta demands, making the loss of a one-on-one battle a clear sign of displeasure from the manager.
Following the additions of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber – players strong in individual battles – Arsenal`s out-of-possession strategy has been executed with precision. They have proven physically superior in midfield and adept at suffocating opponents on the flanks using their fullbacks. This approach has been effective against top-tier talent, including successfully limiting Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe in previous encounters.
However, for a significant portion of the first half in this tie, one of the Champions League`s most potent out-of-possession units unexpectedly faltered. The `Timber penitentiary,` as Arsenal`s strong right-back performance is sometimes termed, was notably absent early on. European elite left-wingers would typically find it easier to escape Alcatraz than bypass Timber when he`s in form.
Perhaps Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is simply operating on a different level. It wouldn`t be a stretch to suggest so. In the opening exchanges, the magnificent Georgian was unstoppable. Timber couldn`t contain him before he set up Ousmane Dembele for the opener. Timber was also fortunate that the referee didn`t award a penalty when he appeared to foul PSG`s forward.
The issue wasn`t isolated to Kvaratskhelia; Arsenal appeared overwhelmed across the pitch. Dembele`s movement disrupted their defense, and PSG`s midfield, led by Vitinha who had previously dismissed doubts about their physicality, demonstrated both precision and power in challenges.
Arsenal struggled to build play from the back under PSG`s intense pressure, often resorting to multiple backwards passes before narrowly escaping danger. Their own high press was a step too slow, notably allowing Nuno Mendes the space to set up Dembele for the game`s only goal.
In the first 23 minutes, the home side remarkably won only 26 percent of their duels. Arteta, his team, and the passionate crowd were visibly shellshocked. It highlighted why Arteta had perhaps half-jokingly asked the Emirates Stadium faithful to bring their boots – perhaps more options were needed to navigate PSG`s press.
Fortunately for Arsenal, this period of struggle didn`t last. Luis Enrique`s side couldn`t maintain their initial intensity, and Arsenal adapted. They began playing longer passes, focusing on winning second balls deep in PSG`s half. Arteta confirmed that a `very specific but very important` issue was corrected after 15-20 minutes, which he stated transformed the game, although he didn`t reveal the nature of the tactical adjustment.
“Not a lot was going wrong,” Arteta insisted, clarifying, “I`m telling you it was very specific but very important, especially the way we play. We corrected it. It is not easy to correct it constantly, but we did it and we were much better.”
Whatever the change was, it proved effective. For the next hour, the match was evenly balanced. Mikel Merino`s header from a Declan Rice free kick was ruled offside, as were a couple of Gabriel Martinelli`s promising runs, but Leandro Trossard came close to beating Gianluigi Donnarumma. Arsenal could argue they were unlucky not to find an equalizer, yet they were also fortunate that Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos missed opportunities for PSG by not taking shots on their stronger feet.
Looking ahead to the second leg, it`s reasonable to expect Jurrien Timber to perform significantly better than in the opening minutes of the first game (where he won only one of his first eight duels before winning his next five). William Saliba also grew into the match, making a crucial tackle later on. The potential return of Thomas Partey could further assist Arsenal in breaking PSG`s press and facilitate a more direct style of play focusing on winning long balls.
In the 67 minutes following that initial difficult spell, Arsenal`s performance dramatically improved, winning 55 percent of their duels and 72 percent of aerial battles. While not always aesthetically pleasing, this ability to win physical battles is arguably what peak Arsenal performance looks like.
When they are performing at this level, Arsenal are clearly a match for PSG, setting up what promises to be a consistently engaging and finely balanced semi-final. However, ties at this stage are often decided by critical moments of lapse. Arsenal`s early struggles in duels, their usually dominant trait, might just have been the misstep that ultimately costs them a place in the Champions League final.
